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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Congress Members Say US Military Shot Down Border Protection Drone
Three Democratic lawmakers claim the drone was taken down by a "high-risk" counter-drone system.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Three Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and André Carson, have stated that the US military shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone over Texas on Thursday. The lawmakers claim the drone was taken down by a "high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system," though the specific details of the system were not provided. The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded a temporary airspace closure around Fort Hancock, Texas for "special security reasons," though commercial flights are not expected to be affected.
Why it matters
This incident raises questions about the coordination and oversight of counter-drone systems used by different government agencies, as well as the potential risks and unintended consequences of such technology. The lawmakers have criticized the White House's decision to sidestep a bipartisan bill that aimed to address the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, and FAA on these issues.
The details
According to the lawmakers, the Customs and Border Protection drone was shot down by a "high-risk counter-unmanned aircraft system" operated by the US military. The FAA has expanded a temporary airspace closure around Fort Hancock, Texas, though commercial flights are not expected to be affected. This is the second airspace incident this month over Texas, following a previous closure prompted by the downing of a party balloon near El Paso, which also involved the use of an anti-drone laser.
- The incident occurred on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
- The FAA's airspace closure around Fort Hancock is scheduled to last until June 24, 2026, though it's unclear if it will remain in effect for the full duration.
The players
Rep. Rick Larsen
A Democratic member of the House Transportation Committee.
Rep. Bennie Thompson
A Democratic member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Rep. André Carson
A Democratic member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Customs and Border Protection
The federal agency responsible for border security and enforcement.
US Military
The armed forces of the United States, which reportedly shot down the Customs and Border Protection drone.
What they’re saying
“We said months ago that the White House's decision to sidestep a bipartisan, tri-committee bill to appropriately train C-UAS operators and address the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, DHS, and the FAA was a short-sighted idea. Now, we're seeing the result of its incompetence.”
— Rep. Rick Larsen, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. André Carson, Democratic lawmakers (Business Insider)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for better coordination and oversight of counter-drone systems used by different government agencies, as well as the potential risks and unintended consequences of such technology. It also raises questions about the White House's decision-making process and the impact on national security and public safety.
