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

Donald Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the drones were for research purposes and 'not the enemy.'

More drone sightings have been reported in the Northeast after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted its temporary flight restrictions following thousands of reported drone sightings late last year.

Research company Enigma Labs said it has tallied 650 sightings nationally described as drone-related since November, with most concentrated in the Northeast.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump confirmed that the drones that were flying over New Jersey were authorized to be flown by the Federal Aviation Administration for "'research and various other reasons.

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

Nichols spent nearly three years at the FAA after being appointed by former President Joe Biden in January 2022. He joins as a partner and co-chair of the transportation practice, working alongside co-chair Paul Hemmersbaugh in Washington, D.C.

On social media, users shared theories that range from foreign interference to UFOs to hobbyist activity. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said there was no evidence" the reported drone sightings posed a threat to national security or public safety or had any foreign connection.

"In time, it got worse because of curiosity. This was not the enemy," Leavitt said at the top of her first formal press briefing during which she delivered an update she said came directly from President Donald Trump.

The White House claims that the objects seen in the skies over New Jersey in late 2024 were drones authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration.

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<a class="excerpt-read-more" href=" More