Mystery Drones ‘Authorized for Research’ by FAA: White House

Other drones were attributed to ‘individuals that enjoy flying drones,’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. ‘This was not the enemy.’

A still from a video showing several drones that appear to be flying over Randolph, N.J., on Dec. 4, 2024. MartyA45_ /TMX via AP

The mystery drones first seen over New Jersey late last year were authorized to be flown by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) “for research and various other reasons,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Jan. 28.

During the first White House press briefing of the new administration, Leavitt said President Donald Trump had given her an update on the drones “after research and study.”