U.S. military reportedly used a laser to shoot down Border Protection drone, sparking new air closure

The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, members of Congress said Thursday, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas.

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National story. 28 articles from 25 sources. Updated Feb 27, 2026.

How each side is putting it

Left

9 sources
Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· NPR, Wyoming Public Media, +1 more
NPRLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say

Wyoming Public MediaLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say

Seattle TimesLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say

Ran by 5 outlets across the spectrum· Kokomo Tribune, The Boston Globe
Kokomo TribuneLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

Lawmakers say US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

The Boston GlobeLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

Lawmakers say US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

NBC NewsLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

U.S. military reportedly used a laser to shoot down Border Protection drone, sparking new air closure

Kokomo TribuneLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

US military uses laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say, and FAA closes airspace near El Paso, Texas

CNNLean Left· Feb 27, 2026· ran in 7 outlets

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

Center

14 sources
Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· Delaware Public Media, WFMZ Allentown, +1 more
Delaware Public MediaCenter· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say

WFMZ AllentownCenter· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say

Military.comCenter· Feb 27, 2026

US Military Used Laser to Take Down Border Protection Drone, Lawmakers Say

Ran by 7 outlets across the spectrum· ABC 17 Mid-Missouri, KRDO, +4 more
ABC 17 Mid-MissouriCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

KRDOCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

KEYT Santa BarbaraCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

KTVZ BendCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

KESQ Palm SpringsCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

Local News 8Center· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

KESQ Palm SpringsCenter· Feb 27, 2026

Pentagon shoots down US Customs and Border Protection drone with laser system, lawmakers say

Ran by 5 outlets across the spectrum· NBC10 Philadelphia, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, +1 more
NBC10 PhiladelphiaLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

Lawmakers say U.S. military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

Lawmakers say U.S. military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

NBC New YorkLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

Lawmakers say U.S. military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

WMURCenter· Feb 27, 2026

US military shoots down CBP drone in Texas, lawmakers say

WHDH BostonLean Left· Feb 27, 2026

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say - Boston News, Weather, Sports

Right

2 sources

Same wire story as other sides. No original Right take here.

MyNorthwestLean Right· Feb 27, 2026· ran in 5 outlets

Lawmakers say US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone

Breitbart NewsRight· Feb 27, 2026· ran in 8 outlets

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say