U.S. officials have detected unidentified drones flying over a military base in Washington that houses senior cabinet officials, raising serious security concerns and prompting heightened precautions, according to multiple reports citing The Washington Post. U.S. military and security personnel observed the unmanned aerial vehicles above the Joint Base Fort McNair, a sensitive installation where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live, officials told the Post.
The origin and intent of the drones remain undetermined, and authorities have not publicly disclosed whether they were piloted remotely by foreign actors, autonomous, or part of a misidentified civilian flight, sources said. The detection has triggered increased security measures on the base and prompted high‑level discussions among U.S. officials about how to respond.
The incident comes amid heightened global tensions, particularly with Iran, and dovetails with broader concerns about aerial incursions near sensitive U.S. sites. Officials are reportedly considering whether additional protective steps are needed for the high‑profile residents, though there has been no official announcement of any relocations.
Pentagon and White House representatives have declined to comment publicly on the sightings, and no claim of responsibility has emerged. Investigators are examining radar data, eyewitness reports and other sensor information to determine the drones’ flight paths as part of an ongoing national security review.