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New Jersey, USA – The White House has officially addressed the mystery drone sightings that flooded New Jersey skies late last year. In a highly anticipated press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the drones spotted across the state were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research and various other reasons.
White House Clarifies Drone Activity
Speaking at her first official briefing under the newly sworn-in President Donald Trump, Leavitt stated:
“After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.”
The exact purpose of this research, however, was not disclosed, leaving room for speculation about the nature of the operations.
Leavitt also mentioned that many of the drones belonged to hobbyists, recreational flyers, and private individuals.
“In time, it got worse due to curiosity,” she explained, referring to the surge in drone activity and public paranoia that followed.
Despite widespread fears, Leavitt assured the public that the drones were not a threat.
“This was not the enemy.”
Ongoing Investigation & Government Response
Despite this clarification, officials have not confirmed whether the FBI’s investigation into the drone reports is still active. A spokesperson for the FAA redirected inquiries to the White House, while the FBI’s Newark office declined to comment on the matter.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s office also did not immediately respond to the update.
Political Fallout: Accusations of Misinformation
The surge in drone sightings, which began in November and December, sparked national concern, leading to thousands of reports from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio.
Federal authorities initially attributed most of these sightings to mistaken identity, stating that the objects were likely:
- Commercial drones
- Hobbyist UAVs
- Law enforcement surveillance drones
- Fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, or even stars misidentified as drones
Despite this, some lawmakers spread misinformation, fueling theories of foreign threats.
In January, U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) suggested that the drones could be coming from an Iranian “mothership” off the U.S. coastline. However, the Department of Defense quickly debunked this claim, stating that there was “no truth” to the theory.
Meanwhile, other officials demanded stronger federal action. Former President Joe Biden received a letter from Governor Murphy urging additional resources to investigate the activity.
FAA Drone Bans & Expiring Restrictions
As concerns mounted, the FAA implemented a series of temporary drone bans over critical infrastructure across 50 towns in New Jersey. These restrictions, however, expired earlier this month, leaving many wondering whether the government still considers the issue a security risk.
Trump’s Promise: “A Report on Drones”
Less than a week before taking office, Donald Trump vowed to release “a report on drones” as one of his first actions as president.
On his first full day in office, Trump was asked about the situation and immediately ordered his chief of staff to “get to the bottom of the mystery.”
“I would like to find out what it is and tell the people,” Trump told reporters.
Unanswered Questions & Public Speculation
While the White House has now confirmed that many of these drones were FAA-authorized, some key questions remain unanswered:
- What kind of research was being conducted?
- Were these drone flights linked to law enforcement or military activities?
- Why was the public not informed sooner about the authorized flights?
With the Biden administration previously criticized for a lack of transparency, Trump’s prompt response has drawn both praise and skepticism.
One thing is certain—this mystery may not be over yet.