Buttigieg's message on restricting civilian drones near Hurricane Helene damage prompts outcry, clarification

Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen joined'Fox & Friends' to discuss why President Biden and Vice President Harris are facing scrutiny for their response to Hurricane Helene. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) clarified a message that warned civilian drone pilots not to fly near Hurricane Helene recovery and rescue efforts -- or risk penalty, fines or "criminal prosecution" -- after facing intense backlash online. Reached by Fox News Digital, a DOT spokesperson said civilian drone pilots are permitted and are assisting in rescue and recovery efforts, and previous "temporary flight restrictions" have since been lifted. Some X users -- collectively with millions of followers -- reacted adversely to a message addressed to drone pilots and with accompanying video from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared by the department earlier this week. The message and video argued the restrictions would prohibit civilian volunteers from legally searching for victims or survivors when response time matters most or capturing their own footage of the disaster.