The appearance of mystery drones over New Jersey in late 2024 sparked public curiosity and some concern. In the first press briefing of President Donald Trump’s second administration, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed these sightings, providing clarity on why drones were observed flying over New Jersey. This explanation aims to dispel any confusion and assure the public about the nature of these aerial activities.
Official Clarification from the White House
According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the drones that were seen across New Jersey were “authorized to be flown by the FAA.” This statement, directly from President Trump, clarifies that these flights were not unauthorized or malicious. Leavitt elaborated that investigations revealed the drones were in the airspace for a variety of legitimate purposes. These included research initiatives, recreational use by hobbyists, and activities by private individuals who simply enjoy drone flying as a pastime. She further noted that increased public attention, driven by curiosity, amplified the perception of a widespread drone presence. Reassuringly, Leavitt emphasized, “This was not the enemy,” confirming the drones posed no threat.
Trump’s Earlier Stance and Public Suspense
Interestingly, prior to this official clarification, then-President-elect Trump had publicly suggested that the outgoing Biden administration possessed more information about the drones than they were disclosing. In December, Trump stated, “They know where it came from and where it went. And for some reason, they don’t want to comment. And I think they’d be better off saying what it is. Our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense.” This earlier statement contributed to the mystery and speculation surrounding the drone sightings before his administration took office. Trump had even promised a report on the drones within the initial days of his administration, highlighting the public interest in understanding these aerial phenomena.
Biden Administration’s Initial Statement
It’s important to note that the Biden administration had previously addressed the drone issue in December. A multi-agency statement involving the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the FAA, and the Department of Defense indicated that the drone activity over New Jersey was indeed a “combination” of lawful aerial activities. This statement offered a similar explanation to the later White House briefing, categorizing the sightings as “lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.” This initial statement laid the groundwork for understanding the diverse sources contributing to the perceived drone presence.
Context: Flight Restrictions and Public Safety
The initial reports of drone activity, first noted in November by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, led to temporary flight restrictions across New Jersey throughout November and December. Notably, these restrictions were implemented in areas such as Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Trump maintains a golf club, and over the Picatinny Arsenal military base. However, even during these restrictions, a DHS spokesperson stated on December 19 that they were enacted “out of an abundance of caution.” The spokesperson further reassured the public, “We continue to assess there is no public safety threat relating to the reported drone sightings.” This consistent messaging from both administrations underscores that while drone activity was present and monitored, it did not represent a danger to public safety.
In conclusion, the mystery surrounding drones flying over New Jersey in late 2024 has been officially clarified. These aerial sightings were attributed to authorized activities, including research, hobbyist use, and other lawful purposes. While initial ambiguity and heightened security measures contributed to public intrigue, official statements from both the Biden and Trump administrations have consistently confirmed that these drones posed no public safety threat and were part of normal, authorized airspace activity.
