Trump White House says N.J. drones were from FAA-authorized researchers or hobbyists

President Trump on Tuesday said drones spotted over New Jersey in recent months were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly for “research and various other reasons.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered the conclusion during her first press briefing.

“This was not the enemy,” she said.

Drones were spotted for weeks in New Jersey skies, starting shortly after Thanksgiving. Mayors and others demanded answers from the Biden administration, saying they feared foreign governments or rogue actors were spying on military bases or other sensitive locations.

Others speculated that the U.S. government was testing advanced systems.

The Biden team said it found no nefarious source for the drones. The conclusion by Mr. Trump, in deliberation with the FAA, largely mirrored those findings.

Ms. Leavitt said beyond FAA-authorized research drones, other objects were flown by hobbyists for recreation.

“In time, it got worse due to curiosity,” she said.