Statement by Attorney General Sessions Supporting Proposed Legislation to Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Attorney General Sessions today issued the following statement of support for legislation to counter threats from unmanned aircraft systems:

“From the Wright Brothers to John Glenn to today, Americans have been at the leading edge of aeronautics and made breakthroughs that have changed our world for the better.  Drone technology, one of the latest of these inventions, promises to strengthen us economically by creating American jobs and transforming American industry.  Unfortunately, however, this new tool can also be used to wreak havoc by criminals, terrorists and other bad actors.  That is why the Trump administration has worked on legal reforms to enable law-abiding people to use this technology for good while protecting them from those who would use it for ill. 

“Bipartisan legislation in Congress called the Preventing Emerging Threats Act would finally give federal law enforcement the authority we need to counter the use of drones by drug traffickers, terrorists and criminals while protecting the freedom to use drones lawfully.  We need this authority today — and so I urge my former colleagues in Congress to send this legislation to President Trump’s desk.  That will let us get to work, fight this new threat and keep the American people safe.”