White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the drones spotted flying over New Jersey and other parts of the country in late 2024 were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During the first press briefing of President Donald Trump’s second term, Leavitt conveyed a direct statement from the president to address the public’s concerns.
“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,” Leavitt announced. While she provided no specifics on the nature of the research or the “various other reasons,” she clarified that some of the drones belonged to hobbyists and private individuals engaging in recreational flying.
The unexplained drone activity drew national attention and concern in late 2024. Residents reported clusters of drones flying in formation, sparking speculation about their purpose and origin. Critics of the Biden administration expressed frustration over the lack of clear information, with federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) releasing vague statements that offered little reassurance.
In December 2024, DHS and the FBI issued a joint statement claiming, “There is no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” However, the absence of detailed explanations left many Americans skeptical.
The new administration sought to address these lingering concerns early. Leavitt stated that “this was not the enemy,” attempting to ease fears of a foreign or domestic threat linked to the drone sightings. She added that curiosity from the public and private drone use contributed to the heightened activity, which had compounded concerns.
The announcement marks a shift toward providing more clarity about incidents of public interest, with Leavitt noting that transparency is a priority.
While details on the FAA-authorized research remain scarce, the Trump administration has emphasized its commitment to addressing issues that the prior administration failed to resolve or clarify.
