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Trump Signs Drone Safety Act Amid Local Deployments

12/20/2025

39 3 Full Breakdown

Center

Trump Strengthens Drone Safety

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, enabling police to disable drones at public events to boost safety.
Jefferson Parish in Louisiana has deployed a large fleet of drones to track suspects and improve response times.
Green Bay's Common Council approved a $1.3 million contract for drones to address staffing shortages and improve emergency response, despite privacy concerns.

Left

DPS Expands Drone Program

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has expanded its drone program to over 450 drones by 2025, up from under 200 in 2020, largely due to Operation Lone Star.
In 2025, just over half of DPS drone flights supported Operation Lone Star.
Advocates say border-purpose drones are used to monitor domestic activities, including protests.
Legislation may restrict purchases from Chinese manufacturers, which supply 97% of the DPS fleet.

History

Historical Context

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2020, signed into law on December 20, 2019, allowed law enforcement to disable drones at public events, addressing growing concerns over drone surveillance. This trend, initiated in places like Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, continues in Texas, where the Department of Public Safety plans to expand its drone fleet to over 450 by 2025, raising significant privacy issues.

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Trump Strengthens Drone Safety

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, enabling police to disable drones at public events to boost safety.
Jefferson Parish in Louisiana has deployed a large fleet of drones to track suspects and improve response times.
Green Bay's Common Council approved a $1.3 million contract for drones to address staffing shortages and improve emergency response, despite privacy concerns.

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