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By Monica Sager and Gabe Whisnant
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that the drones that flew over the Northeast United States in the past months "were not the enemy."
"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, reading a statement by President Donald Trump.
Why It Matters
Officials at local and federal levels have been baffled by reports of mystery drone sightings spotted in northeastern states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut since November. Residents of Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts and California have also reported seeing drones flying overhead, raising concerns about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
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Federal officials, like former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, had repeatedly sought to calm public anxieties, affirming no evidence of foreign involvement or ill intent behind the sightings. That said, conspiracy theories had run rampant online, including by lawmakers.
What To Know
The reports of drones began mid-November, and statements from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said there have been over 5,000 sightings of drones across states on the East Coast.
"Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones," Leavitt read. "In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily banned drones in areas of New Jersey in December through the middle of January. New York also temporarily banned flying drones over some of the state's "critical infrastructure sites." No-fly zones included Far Rockaway, Brooklyn and two communities on Long Island, Ridge and Garden City, according to the FAA.
In New Jersey, a mayor stated that federal information about drones was not credible.
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Former White House National Security communications advisor John Kirby said that many of these drones operated legally and lawfully. Even still, he said the Department of Homeland Security was "investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources."
China's news outlet had mocked the United States as a "breeding ground for delusion, irrationality, and instability" following allegations that some of the drones were linked to the Chinese state.
Who Is Karoline Leavitt?
Leavitt, 27, is the youngest person to hold the press secretary position. She previously served as Trump's national press secretary during his 2024 presidential campaign. She was also a spokesperson for his transition team.
During Trump's first administration, Leavitt served as an assistant press secretary and presidential writer.
After Trump lost reelection in 2020, Leavitt became communications director for Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York.
In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District. She won the Republican nomination but lost the general election to Democrat Chris Pappas.
She had attended Saint Anselm College, a liberal arts school in Manchester, New Hampshire, on an athletic scholarship for softball. She graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in politics and communication.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social in December: "Mystery Drone Sightings all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge. I don't think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT."
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, on X, formerly Twitter in December: "Why are they calling them drones? For a long time it was UFO [unidentified flying object], then it became UAP [unidentified aerial phenomenon]. Ever since these things started being seen in NJ, the term used has been 'drone.' Who made that the official term and why? That seems to convey knowing what they are versus using an acronym starting with a 'U' that stands for unidentified."
Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at conservative-leaning think tank the Gatestone Institute, to Fox Business: "These activities are too large and well-organized to be the work of hobbyists."
Update 1/28/25, 1:49 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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