White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Reveals FAA’s Role [WATCH]

New Jersey’s skies have been the center of speculation and concern in recent months due to a surge in drone activity across the state.

The sightings, which included drones hovering near military installations and sensitive sites, sparked widespread public intrigue.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue, delivering a statement from President Donald Trump aimed at putting these concerns to rest.

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“After research and study,” Trump’s statement read, “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.”

The president’s statement acknowledged the heightened public interest and noted how it contributed to a sense of alarm.

Leavitt added, “This was not the enemy,” emphasizing that fears of a foreign threat or a coordinated attack were unfounded.

BREAKING: Press Secretary Leavitt on drones:

“The drones over NJ were authorized by the FAA for research and various other reasons, and many were hobbyists and recreational. It got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.” pic.twitter.com/MIe64MgGf1

— I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) January 28, 2025

Between November and January, over 600 drone sightings were documented across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

More than half of these—over 300 incidents—were reported within 25 miles of high-security sites, including military and nuclear facilities.

The unusual volume of drone activity led federal officials to impose temporary flight restrictions at more than 50 locations throughout New Jersey.

Sensitive sites such as the Salem nuclear power plant and Trump’s Bedminster golf club were included in these measures.

Federal security partners coordinated the restrictions to mitigate potential risks during a period of heightened concern.

While the restrictions have since been lifted, questions surrounding airspace security remain.

Although hobbyists and researchers were responsible for much of the drone activity, the proximity of some sightings to critical infrastructure continues to raise concerns.

This is not the first time President Trump has addressed the matter of mysterious drones.

Before his inauguration, then-President-elect Trump spoke about the rising concerns regarding drone sightings over New Jersey ports.

He claimed that both the U.S. military and Joe Biden were aware of the drones’ origins but chose not to disclose the information to the public.

“The government knows what is happening,” Trump said in December.

“Our military knows where they took off from. If it’s a garage, they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went. And for some reason, they don’t want to comment.”

Trump dismissed the idea of the drones being linked to a foreign adversary.

“I can’t imagine it’s the enemy, because if it was the enemy, they’d blast it out. Even if they were late, they’d blast it. Something strange is going on,” he said.

Trump also noted the drones’ reported activity near his Bedminster golf course, saying, “I think maybe I won’t spend the weekend in Bedminster. I’ve decided to cancel my trip,” in a rare moment of levity.

President-elect Trump on drones: “The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from. If it’s a garage they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went. For some reason they don’t want to comment.” pic.twitter.com/JdITHAv4KJ

— CSPAN (@cspan) December 16, 2024

While the official statement from the White House seeks to assuage public fears, the scale and persistence of drone sightings near critical sites continue to prompt discussions about airspace monitoring and security in the region.

However, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing technological advancements like drones with national security and public safety.

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