The explanation comes after around 3000 reported sightings, but conspiracists and UFO fans may feel even more in the dark about what has caused the strange sightings
The months-long mystery surrounding the swarms of drones spotted over New Jersey may finally have an answer – sort of. In his first press briefing of his second term, President Donald Trump declared that the drones were authorised by the FAA for “research and various other reasons.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered the revelation on Wednesday, saying: “After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorised to be flown by the FAA. This information comes directly from the President of the United States.”
But Leavitt’s vague explanation has raised more questions than it answered. She did not specify what type of research was being conducted, who was behind it, or why so many of the drones appeared to focus on sensitive locations, including military bases like Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.
The sightings, which began in November, sparked panic across New Jersey and other states as locals reported car-sized drones hovering low over populated areas. In just one week, the FBI received over 3,000 reports, including sightings near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Texas.
But not everyone is buying the official line. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul suggested last month that many of the drones could be “spy drones” sent by China.
“My judgment based on my experience is that those over our military sites are adversarial,” McCaul said.
Belleville Mayor Michael Melham also expressed doubts, writing on X: “We were repeatedly told, ‘These are NOT Federal Operations.’ That doesn’t mean they aren’t a defence contractor. The question remains: why are so many flying over densely populated areas?”
Even the FBI admitted last month that it didn’t know who was operating many of the drones. This uncertainty has left many, including White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook, uneasy.
After witnessing a formation of six drones flying 100 feet overhead, Cook said: “We haven’t seen anything like this before.” ,
The US President has promised to provide more clarity. “I would like to find out what it is and tell the people. In fact, I’d like to do that,” he reportedly told his chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
While Leavitt assured the public that the drones were “not the enemy” and many were operated by hobbyists, her statement did little to calm concerns.
With the Biden administration previously linking the sightings to China and Iran – though offering no hard evidence – the ambiguity remains unsettling.
The drones’ appearance over Trump’s own golf course in Bedminster and their proximity to key military installations suggest there’s more to the story. For now, Trump’s promise to investigate and disclose more details may be the public’s best shot at clarity.