Latest news with #SebastianGorka
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Trump signs orders to bolster US drone defenses, boost supersonic flight
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders to bolster US defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators — a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries — and take steps to reduce the US reliance on Chinese drone companies and begin testing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Trump is establishing a federal task force to ensure US control over American skies, expand restrictions over sensitive sites, expand federal use of technology to detect drones in real time and provide assistance to state and local law enforcement. Trump also aims to address the 'growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in US airspace,' said Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 'We are securing our borders from national security threats, including in the air, with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup on the horizon.' Sebastian Gorka, senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council, cited the use of drones in Russia's war in Ukraine and threats to major US sporting events. 'We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities,' Gorka said. 'We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots.' The issue of suspicious drones also gained significant attention last year after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey. The FAA receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month. Drone sightings have at times disrupted flights and sporting events. Trump also directed the Federal Aviation Administration to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport over land. 'The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to L.A. in under four hours,' Kratsios said. 'Advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable.' The Trump orders do not ban any Chinese drone company, officials said. Last year, former President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new drone models in the US DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, sells more than half of all US commercial drones.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Trump signs orders to bolster US drone defenses, boost supersonic flight
WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders to bolster U.S. defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators - a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries - and take steps to reduce the U.S. reliance on Chinese drone companies and begin testing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Trump is establishing a federal task force to ensure U.S. control over American skies, expand restrictions over sensitive sites, expand federal use of technology to detect drones in real time and provide assistance to state and local law enforcement. Trump also aims to address the "growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in U.S. airspace," said Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "We are securing our borders from national security threats, including in the air, with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup on the horizon." Sebastian Gorka, senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council, cited the use of drones in Russia's war in Ukraine and threats to major U.S. sporting events. "We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities," Gorka said. "We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots." The issue of suspicious drones also gained significant attention last year after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey. The FAA receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month. Drone sightings have at times disrupted flights and sporting events. Trump also directed the Federal Aviation Administration to lift a ban imposed in 1973 on supersonic air transport over land. "The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to L.A. in under four hours," Kratsios said. "Advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable." The Trump orders do not ban any Chinese drone company, officials said. Last year, former President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics ( opens new tab from selling new drone models in the U.S. DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Stronger together': Sebastian Gorka urges Australia to ‘commit' further to defence
Trump's counter-terrorism chief Sebastian Gorka has urged the Albanese government to further 'commit' to its defence budget so that Australia and the United States can be 'stronger together'. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not accept the US' request to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and will stand by Labor's existing policy of increasing defence funding. Under the government's projections, defence spending is forecast to reach 2.33 per cent of GDP by 2033–34, up from about 2.05 per cent in 2025-26.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
‘America is back' in the counterterrorism business under Trump
Trump's counter-terrorism chief Sebastian Gorka discusses how the Biden and Kamala administration 'dismantled' the American border. The man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a group of marchers rallying in Colorado for Israeli hostages in Gaza had allegedly spent a year planning the attack and had wanted to use a firearm, but could not purchase a gun as he is not a legal citizen. 'We have started the work, it isn't over yet, but finally we are back,' Mr Gorka told Sky News host Sharri Markson. 'America is back in the counter terrorism business.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Trump administration will ‘not stop' until the barbarians ‘are defeated': Gorka
Trump's counter-terrorism chief Sebastian Gorka discusses the 'war' between Judeo-Christian civilisation and barbarity. The man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a group of marchers rallying in Colorado for Israeli hostages in Gaza had allegedly spent a year planning the attack and had wanted to use a firearm, but could not purchase a gun as he is not a legal citizen. 'The president has rightly called this out for what it is, as has the vice president,' Mr Gorka told Sky News host Sharri Markson. 'We will not stop until the barbarians are defeated.'
