Trump demands Congress to allow drones ahead of | Political News

The White House is asking lawmakers to grant the Trump administration more authority to take down aerial drones in home airspace, ahead of the U.S. internet hosting the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Citing a number of people close to the negotiations, Politico reported that efforts to connect the proposal to an upcoming must-pass protection coverage invoice are going through pushback on Capitol Hill, including from the Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz, over issues that the measure quantities to federal overreach.

The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over aviation points. A draft invoice circulated by the White House would grant companies such as the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice expanded powers to deploy counter-drone measures at “large-scale public gatherings or events, critical infrastructure or correctional facilities.”

According to the plan, it will also broaden “counter-drone authority” for state and local law enforcement, Politico reported, which obtained a draft of the invoice. Federal companies are licensed to intervene against drone threats only when particular, high-risk services, including authorities operations and energy plants, are deemed to be at risk, under current law.

The push comes as House leaders and the Senate Armed Services Committees look to finalize the protection invoice by early next week.

President Trump’s administration is aiming to improve security ahead of the World Cup and Olympic Games. Earlier this month, the administration announced the launch of a $500 million program to help state and local governments develop anti-drone methods ahead of the major sporting occasions.

“This is an important issue we must address as we prepare for global events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, and we need to ensure proper authorities are in place to protect the American people,” said a House GOP management aide granted anonymity to talk about the negotiations. The Express reached out to the White House for remark.

Another White House official, talking on the condition of anonymity, told Politico that the White House Office of Legislative Affairs has been working on legislative language and circulating associated proposals among congressional workplaces since September. The official added that the administration was working intently with Speaker Mike Johnson’s workplace on the legislative draft and has also engaged with Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s workplace.

“It’s something that the admin feels is extremely important given particularly all of the events of the next year,” the White House official said. “Having a strong, strong event infrastructure and drone counter-measures is very important.”

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It’s unclear whether or not Congress will undertake the plan. An individual granted anonymity to talk about the confidential talks said the Senate Commerce Committee views the draft provision as an “extremely problematic” overreach that would give federal security officers extreme discretion in deciding how to “protect the public.”