WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, through White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, addressed the recent spate of drone sightings over New Jersey’s shoreline, emphasizing that the activity was not cause for alarm.
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 said, relaying the president’s remarks during a briefing. The clarification comes amid growing public concern and speculation about the unusual drone activity reported in recent weeks.
Leavitt said she was briefed before Tuesday’s press briefing by President Trump regarding the New Jersey drones.
“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,” she said. “Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational, and private individuals who enjoy flying drones. In time, it got worse due to curiosity.”
“This was not the enemy,” Trump told Leavitt.
The research drones were spotted over the Atlantic Ocean, fueling new speculation that they were tied to off-shore wind energy or other forms of GIS mapping, but that cannot be confirmed at this time, only that they were FAA-approved for research. The White House did not disclose who was operating the approved drone traffic.
The increased sightings have been attributed, in part, to a surge in hobbyists operating drones to investigate the mysterious flights themselves, creating further confusion in the airspace. Local authorities have confirmed receiving numerous reports from residents, reiterating that the activity poses no immediate threat.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not issued any information related to the incidents.
No further details were provided about the specific research activities taking plac.
Early on during Dronegate, several leaders suspected foreign influence, such as an “Iranian Mothership” or “Chinese Drone Carrier” operations off the New Jersey coast. Those claims have been debunked.
Trump had previously said that had the drones been foreign actors, they would have been destroyed.