Peoria Standard

U.S. Representative Darin LaHood addressed concerns regarding drones spotted across the United States during an interview with Blake Burman. He shared this interview in a Facebook post dated December 17.

"Drones flying over military bases and other sensitive locations in the United States is the latest - and hopefully last - intelligence failure of the Biden Administration," said LaHood, according to Facebook. "Tonight, I joined Blake Burman to discuss how the House Intelligence Committee is working to address the situation and ensure the safety of the public. The incoming Trump Administration will prioritize our national security and be better prepared to respond to any threats."

LaHood criticized the Biden Administration, attributing the presence of drones in U.S. airspace to what he described as intelligence failures by the administration. He provided Burman, a journalist with News Nation, with a list of these perceived failures. The conversation then returned to the topic of drones.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's Dec. 17 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

"Here’s what I know. Five days ago in California, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office indicted a Chinese citizen who was trying to leave the country who was using a drone at Vandenberg Air Force Base and on SpaceX," LaHood said. He further said that there was an investigation into this incident involving a Chinese citizen flying over an Air Force Base.

The arrest mentioned by LaHood occurred on December 9. According to an announcement from the U.S. Justice Department on December 11, Yinpiao Zhou, a resident of Brentwood, was arrested on federal charges for allegedly flying a drone over and taking photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base. Zhou faces charges for failing to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violating national defense space regulations. The announcement noted that Zhou was apprehended before boarding a flight bound for China from San Francisco International Airport and remains in federal custody pending an appeal against his release.

According to reports from The Associated Press on December 11, investigations by the FBI, Homeland Security, and state agencies have found no evidence suggesting that any drones pose a national security or public safety threat. The FBI has cautioned against pointing lasers at suspected drones due to incidents involving commercial aircraft being targeted with lasers. Authorities have also expressed concern about citizens potentially shooting at drones.

President Joe Biden told The Associated Press that "there are a lot of drones authorized" and assured that authorities are closely monitoring the situation without any current indication of danger.

Congressman Darin LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015, initially serving in the 18th Congressional District until redistricting placed him in the 16th District in 2023. His political career includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015 and over nine years as a state and federal prosecutor, including service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada.