The Biden administration’s response to mounting public concern over alleged drone sightings in the northeast is dividing Democrats on Capitol Hill, where some lawmakers are defending the executive assurances that there’s no threat to public safety and others are bashing the various agencies for providing no proof to back those claims.

The reported sightings have captivated certain parts of the country over the last week, leaving top administration officials across a number of agencies scrambling to allay the fears of malicious intent.

But their vague assertions are cold comfort to some lawmakers, particularly those in affected regions like New Jersey, who are pressing the FBI, the Homeland Security Department and Federal Aviation Administration to air more details about the origin and objectives of the reported objects.

“It's all about information and briefings, which has been my complete frustration,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said. “I've asked the FBI and DHS to actually do a proper public briefing.”

Gottheimer is a member of the House Intelligence Committee, which is scheduled to be briefed by administration officials on Tuesday. But other lawmakers, who have already been briefed in a classified setting, said they agreed with the administration’s assessment that there’s no danger to public safety or national security.

“I think their assurances should be comforting, even though they haven't given enough information as to the reason for the lack of transparency,” said Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. Lynch said his panel was briefed on the drone sightings last week, and he left the meeting satisfied.

“They're in a difficult spot,” Lynch said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is also defending the administration’s response. He said he’s been given “a preliminary briefing,” and expects a “deeper dive” later this week. Meanwhile, he said administration officials are doing the best they can in a difficult situation.

“We're working through it,” Jeffries said. “They're trying to be as transparent as they can."

Rep. Rick Larsen (Wash.), the senior Democrat on the House Transportation and........

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