White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the mystery drones flown across New Jersey in late 2024 were "authorized to be flown by the FAA" for research "and various other reasons" in the first press briefing of President Donald Trump's second administration.

(Gray News) - The drones that flew across New Jersey in recent months were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “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 said Tuesday.

The unexplained, SUV-sized drones that caused a stir flying over the areas in the Northeast in November and December have returned. As of Sunday, Jan. 25.

President Trump said Tuesday that the drone sightings over New Jersey late last year were either authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or were from hobbyists and enthusiasts. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at her first press briefing that the FAA had flown drones in the area for research purposes.

The drones seen flying over New Jersey were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, the White House said on Tuesday. The drones were seen not only over the Garden State but over other states in November, Fox News reported.

The people of New Jersey finally have an answer from the White House about the scores of drones that blanketed the region in paranoia at the end of last year. Or do they? In her first press room briefing, President Donald Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said that the Federal Aviation Administration authorized the drones.

Mystery drones over New Jersey were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration with the full knowledge of the Biden administration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday.

Mysterious drones that hovered over New Jersey last month were authorized by the FAA for research and recreation purposes, the White House says.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said reported drone sightings that sparked panic in New Jersey last month were drones authorized to fly by the Federal Aviation Administration and “not the enemy.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the information about the drones came directly from President Donald Trump.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from President Trump which read in part, "this was not the enemy."