'This Was Not the Enemy': White House Says Drones Over New Jersey 'Were Authorized to be Flown by the FAA'

abc News
Leavitt reveals NJ drones ‘authorized’ by the FAA in first White House press briefing of Trump administration

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the mystery drones flown across New Jersey and spotted throughout the East Coast in 2024 were "authorized to be flown by the FAA" in the first press briefing of the Trump administration. "I do have news directly from the president of the United States that was just shared with me in the Oval Office, from President Trump directly, an update on the New Jersey drones," Leavitt said. "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. Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. ... In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy."

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abc News
WNYW
Trump’s update on NJ drones: ‘This was not the enemy’

President Donald Trump's administration has released an update on the mysterious drones spotted flying over New Jersey beginning last fall: "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. Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. And in time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during her first press briefing on Tuesday.

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WNYW
Daily Mail
Trump reveals what New Jersey drones REALLY were

President Donald Trump has revealed the truth behind the mysterious drones over New Jersey, saying they were authorized to conduct 'research.' Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump on Wednesday, saying: '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.' She continued to explain many of the drones were 'hobbyists, recreational and private individuals' and 'in time, it got worse due to curiosity.' The statements come months after the first drones appeared in November, soaring above military bases and Trump's golf course in Bedminster, sparking fears of foreign threats watching American citizens. Leavitt assured the public that 'this was not the enemy,' but did not disclose who was using the drones or what type of research was being conducted.

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