In response to widespread public concern over numerous drone sightings across New Jersey and the East Coast in late 2024, the White House has provided clarification regarding the nature and origin of these aerial activities.
During her inaugural press briefing on January 28, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed President Donald Trump’s message, stating that the drones observed were “authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.” She further elaborated that many of these drones were operated by hobbyists, recreational users, and private individuals. Leavitt emphasized, “In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.”
The sightings, which began in November 2024, led to over 5,000 reports to the FBI by mid-December. Residents reported drones hovering over residential areas, military installations, and critical infrastructure, prompting concerns about potential security threats. In response, federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the FBI, initiated investigations to determine the drones’ origins and purposes.
By mid-December, these agencies released a joint statement indicating that the majority of the reported sightings were lawful operations. They assessed that the activities did not present a national security or public safety risk. The statement noted that many sightings were misidentified manned aircraft, lawful commercial drones, or hobbyist devices.
Despite initial public apprehension, the federal investigations concluded that there was no evidence of malicious activity or foreign involvement. The temporary state of emergency and drone usage ban implemented in December have since been lifted, and authorities continue to monitor drone activities to ensure public safety.
This clarification aims to reassure the public that the drone activities observed were authorized and posed no threat to national security. The White House and federal agencies remain committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates on any developments related to aerial activities in restricted airspaces.
