
The White House announced Tuesday that the numerous drones spotted over New Jersey and other East Coast states last year were mostly authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The statement follows months of speculation and public concern over the mysterious nighttime sightings, which fueled widespread theories and temporarily shut down an airport.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the drones were permitted for research and other official purposes. “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 stated. She also mentioned that many of the reports were linked to drones flown by hobbyists and private citizens, adding, “This was not the enemy.”
The high volume of drone activity sparked widespread unease, prompting officials to investigate potential security threats. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., speculated without evidence that the drones could be linked to foreign actors such as Iran. The Department of Defense rejected such claims, emphasizing that there was no national security risk associated with the sightings.
The drone activity led to interruptions in air travel. In December, New York Stewart International Airport had to halt flights for about an hour due to unauthorized drones in the airspace. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for federal intervention, stating that the situation had “gone too far.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also urged federal lawmakers to act. In a letter addressed to Congress and former President Joe Biden, Murphy pushed for legislation granting state and local authorities more power to detect and counter unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
As concerns mounted, public speculation gave rise to conspiracy theories on social media. Some users suggested the drones were linked to espionage efforts, while others attributed them to advanced military programs. A few went as far as proposing that the drones were of extraterrestrial origin.
Former White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby addressed these concerns, explaining that many of the reported drone sightings were actually commercial or law enforcement drones. “Our assessment leads us to conclude that these are lawful aviation activities, including manned and unmanned aircraft,” Kirby said.
The surge in drone activity has led to renewed discussions about regulatory measures. The FAA has strict guidelines on drone use, but the growing number of reported sightings has exposed gaps in enforcement. Authorities now face increasing pressure to address concerns over airspace security and privacy.
John Kirby previously urged Congress to pass legislation strengthening regulations on drone usage. “There is a gap in local, state, and federal law that must be addressed,” he told NBC’s “TODAY” show.
While officials maintain that the drones posed no direct threat, some residents expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. “People deserve to know what’s flying over their homes,” a local resident told reporters.
Despite the federal reassurances, calls for tighter drone regulations are expected to continue. Experts say the next step will likely involve a combination of public awareness campaigns and technological solutions to better monitor drone activity across the country.
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