Jeff Van Drew initially said they’re from Iran – actually a “mothership,” in the Atlantic, which makes things sound a bit more sinister.

Chris Smith, one of two other Republican House members from New Jersey, went a bit further. In comments reported the other day, Smith said:

“The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities – or worse – by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia, or China, or Iran, or North Korea.”

How does Smith know that?

Is he drawing on his long experience? Smith has been in the House for more than 40 years.

Or, is he relying on contacts and sources in the intelligence community?

The congressman’s office didn’t respond to an emailed inquiry, so we do not know.

What we do know is that speculating that a foreign adversary is involved is unsettling to those worried about drones.

One must refer to those who are worried, because there are, one assumes, some people in New Jersey who couldn’t care less about drones. They have not seen any, nor are they looking for any.

Nonetheless, it is necessary to find out what is happening.

To that end, Josh Gottheimer on Monday called for the nation’s intelligence agencies to hold a press conference on the matter and answer questions. That’s a good idea.

For the record, the feds have ruled out any foreign adversary involvement and have suggested that some, if not many, of the sightings are not even drones, but planes and helicopters.

And the official line is that the drones pose no harm.

Gottheimer popped up on CNN Tuesday and said it’s good to hear that there is not a foreign threat.

Still, more info is needed.

Donald Trump, for his part, has said the U.S. military knows where the drones are coming from.

Does he know that? Or, is he just guessing?

Let’s end on a bipartisan note.

If, indeed, the military knows all about drones, it’s time to say so.

That would make everyone happy – unless, of course, the drones are from Mars.