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Drones spotted near housing of Rubio, Hegseth at U.S. base

Sightings at Fort McNair raise security concerns as unidentified drones fly near residences of top U.S. officials

Unidentified drones have been spotted near the residences of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a U.S. Army base in Washington, raising security concerns, the Washington Post reported, citing informed sources.

The sightings occurred at Fort Lesley J. McNair, where both officials have moved in recent months for security reasons. According to one source, multiple drones were seen during a single night within the past ten days, flying in the area close to where Rubio and Hegseth are staying. The origin of the drones has not been determined.

The incident triggered tighter security measures and led to a meeting at the White House to assess possible responses. Among the options discussed was relocating the two officials, although administration sources said no transfer has taken place so far.

The episode comes amid heightened tensions linked to Operation “Epic Fury,” launched by the United States alongside Israel against Iran on February 28. U.S. authorities have also issued a global alert for diplomatic missions and increased security at several domestic military bases.

This week, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida raised their alert level to Charlie, indicating a credible threat, just below Delta, which signals an imminent or confirmed attack.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to comment on the drone sightings when contacted by the Washington Post, citing security concerns. “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on them is highly irresponsible,” he said.

MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Central Command responsible for operations against Iran, was placed on lockdown twice this week. The FBI is investigating a suspicious package that shut down the base’s visitor center for hours on Monday, while another unspecified incident triggered a shelter-in-place order the following day.

Fort McNair hosts the National Defense University and senior Pentagon officials, though it has not traditionally housed top political leaders. In recent months, however, a growing number of members of the Trump administration have moved there citing security reasons, including Rubio and Hegseth, who are staying in separate residences within the base.

The area along the Anacostia River also previously housed former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Media reports last summer questioned her use of a residence reserved for the Coast Guard’s top admiral without paying rent, a claim later disputed by her spokesperson, who said the arrangement was in line with market rates.

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