US detects unidentified drones over army base where Rubio, Hegseth live: report

WASHINGTON: US officials have detected unidentified drones flying over an army base in Washington where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth reside, according to a report by the Washington Post published on Wednesday.

Drones spotted over sensitive military installation

The Washington Post reported that unidentified drones were detected above the army base that serves as the residence for two of the most senior members of President Donald Trump's cabinet — Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The detection of unmanned aerial vehicles over a military installation housing top US officials raises significant security concerns, given the sensitive nature of the site and the high-profile residents stationed there.

Growing concerns over drone incursions

The incident adds to a growing list of drone-related security concerns that have emerged in recent times. Unauthorised drone flights over military bases and sensitive government facilities have become an increasingly pressing issue for US security agencies.

The report comes amid heightened global attention to the security challenges posed by drones near military installations. Similar incidents have been reported at various defence facilities across the United States and in allied nations, prompting authorities to step up counter-drone measures.

In a related development, drone activity has also been a matter of concern at military bases in Europe. A drone was observed at the Erding Air Base in Germany on December 4, 2025, underscoring the international scope of the challenge posed by unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles near sensitive military sites.

The US government has been grappling with the issue of drone incursions over critical infrastructure and military installations, with multiple agencies working to develop and deploy technologies capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising unauthorised drones.

The presence of both the Secretary of State and the Defence Secretary at the same military base in Washington makes the detected drone activity particularly concerning from a national security standpoint. Both officials hold key roles in the administration's foreign policy and defence apparatus, making their security a top priority for the US government.

Details regarding the nature of the drones, their origin, or any potential threat they may have posed were not immediately clear from the report. It also remained unclear what countermeasures, if any, were deployed in response to the detected drone activity over the base.