The White House has designated drone and counter-drone security a major national priority, with Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, calling for faster federal action, expanded local law enforcement capabilities, and accelerated American drone technology development. Gorka delivered the message on November 9 at the Drone Security and SLTT Grant Forum, held at MGM National Harbor and organized by DRONERESPONDERS and the Commercial Drone Alliance.

In a discussion with Commercial Drone Alliance CEO Lisa Ellman, Gorka said the administration's focus began immediately. He noted that the first National Security Council meeting of President Trump's second term addressed drones, including concerns about unidentified drone activity near Bedminster, New Jersey.

Why does airspace sovereignty matter now?

Gorka drew a direct connection between the administration's emphasis on border security and the protection of U.S. airspace. National sovereignty extends beyond the country's land borders to the airspace above them, he argued. Just as the government must know who and what crosses its borders, it must also understand what is flying overhead.

Gorka presented drone detection, identification, and counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) capabilities as essential elements of national security rather than emerging technology issues. He said the White House treats these capabilities as an urgent priority after what he characterized as years of insufficient attention.

What role will local police play?

Gorka stressed that federal agencies cannot address drone threats without state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement.

"The feds aren't going to solve this problem," he said.

He pointed to three upcoming events that will require coordinated airspace security:

• The FIFA World Cup
• America's 250th anniversary celebrations
• The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Local officers, rather than federal agents, are likely to be the first to encounter a drone threat at a sporting event or other public gathering, Gorka noted. He urged law enforcement agencies to pursue federal training opportunities and said the government is tripling training capacity at the National Counter-UAS Training Center.

The expansion comes as federal agencies implement new counter-UAS authorities for eligible SLTT agencies. These authorities remain subject to specific federal training, certification, and operational requirements.

How should police assess drone threats?

Gorka pressed for a shift in how law enforcement and the public think about drone threats. Police officers already receive training in assessing threats to human life and determining when a response is necessary. The presence of a drone, he argued, should not fundamentally change that assessment.

Counter-UAS mitigation requires specific legal authority and training. Gorka's point was that a drone presenting an immediate threat to life should be recognized and treated as a serious public safety threat, just as a ground-level threat would be.

He also emphasized electronic conspicuity — the ability to identify and understand what is flying in U.S. airspace. As drones become more common in military, commercial, and public safety operations, authorities will need better tools to distinguish legitimate activity from potential threats.

What does the White House want from industry?

Gorka connected the counter-drone initiatives to the administration's broader goal of strengthening American leadership in unmanned aviation.

"The future of aerospace is unmanned," he said.

He cited the growing role of drones in military operations, logistics, law enforcement, and commercial delivery, describing unmanned aviation as a major technological shift.

For law enforcement, his message was straightforward: pursue training and prepare for a larger role in airspace security. For industry, he called for increased production and deployment capacity to meet growing demand, describing drone and counter-drone technology as both a national security requirement and an economic opportunity.

Gorka said the White House intends to work directly with government agencies and industry to address obstacles to implementation. His remarks underscored the administration's commitment to moving quickly, with federal coordination, trained local agencies, and an industry capable of delivering technology at scale.