State seeks more power to down drones before it’s ‘too late’

Gov. Kathy Hochul urged President Trump this week to give New York the power to protect New York against weaponized drones — before it’s “too late,” The Post has learned. 

The two-page letter comes several months after the tri-state area was inundated with reports of mysterious, large, unidentified flying objects.

Many of the unidentified flying objects were drones authorized for research or were being flown by hobbyists, the feds later said.

“I am writing to you with respect to the critical need for federal action regarding the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones,” Hochul wrote in the July 8 letter to Trump, with whom she has clashed over a host of issues including congestion pricing, tariffs and immigration.

Last summer, Trump called Hochul the “nastiest speaker” at the Democratic National Convention.

In her letter to Trump, Hochul talked about the alarming drone sightings last year.

“As you are aware, late last year, the New York City area and the Hudson Valley experienced concerning UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal government’s posture and the constrained ability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats,” the letter reads. 

The governor asked for a comprehensive federal strategy on drone threats and increased authority for states to detect and disable drones themselves. 

The letter doesn’t address how the drones would be mitigated, but the NYPD is already looking at obtaining technology that could be used to disable drones and bring them down safely.

New York City is on the verge of purchasing a system to catch nefarious drones in nets and lower them to the ground safely with parachutes to mitigate the danger to people on the ground but needed federal clearance, The Post reported last month.

If granted, Hochul’s request could help clear the way for that purchase, a state spokeswoman said.

“Large metro areas like NYC would benefit from NYS being granted expanded authority and capabilities,” the spokeswoman said.

Whatever measures are used “must first protect critical infrastructure like population centers, utilities, and military assets” and also keep events safe, the letter reads.

“In the summer of 2026 – 12 short months away — the New York area will be the epicenter for multiple high-profile events, including the World Cup, the flotilla of Tall Ships, International Naval Review, the largest ever Macy’s fireworks show, and America’s 250th birthday celebration, which will present prime targets,” Hochul wrote.

Hochul, who wrote a similar letter to Congress, urged Trump to give New York more power to detect and stop drones as soon as possible.

“The security of our state and the nation demands a coordinated and robust response to the challenge posed by drones,” the governor wrote. “I urge you to prioritize this issue and take swift action before it is too late.” 

The White House didn’t return a request for comment.