Drones over base where Rubio, Hegseth live raise security concerns: Washington post
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U.S. military and diplomatic installations have increased security measures as concerns grow that Iranian retaliation could extend to officials and bases on American soil, The Washington Post reports.
Reportedlly there was a series of unidentified drones that were detected over Washington’s Fort McNair, the base that houses senior military leaders and where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reside, though officials have not yet determined their origin.
The sightings, which occurred over a single night in the past 10 days, have prompted closer threat monitoring and a White House meeting on how to respond.
The heightened alert coincides with a global security warning issued for U.S. diplomatic posts and lockdowns at several domestic bases, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, where force protection levels were elevated to Charlie, indicating a possible threat. At MacDill, the FBI is investigating a suspicious package, and a separate security incident triggered a shelter-in-place order, according to base statements.
Officials have considered relocating Rubio and Hegseth in response to the Fort McNair drone activity, but the senior administration official said neither has been moved. The Pentagon declined to comment on the drones or on officials’ movements, calling specific reporting on such matters “grossly irresponsible.”
The State Department also ordered all U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide to conduct immediate security evaluations, citing “the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spillover effects,” per a reviewed cable.
Unidentified drone threats have been a recurring concern in recent years. U.S. officials have reported similar incidents around then-President Donald Trump and other top figures following the U.S. strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump’s security detail encountered drones at multiple events, and officials reportedly warned him that Iran had contemplated assassination attempts, though no direct links were confirmed. Iranian threats have also targeted former officials such as Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, leading to extended security protection under the Biden administration.
