In the first press briefing of President Trump’s second administration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed today that the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and the East Coast in December 2024 were primarily FAA-authorized operations, with additional activity from recreational pilots.
“After research and study, 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 stated, relaying information directly from President Trump. She added that many flights were conducted by “hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones,” and that “This was not the enemy.“
The press secretary’s statement addresses weeks of speculation about the nature of increased drone activity that prompted temporary flight restrictions near sensitive locations, including Trump’s Bedminster golf club and the Picatinny Arsenal military base.
Mysterious Drone Sightings Started in December
The drone sightings began in mid-November 2024, generating significant public interest and speculation. Then-President-elect Trump had questioned the government’s transparency regarding the incidents, suggesting military authorities could track the drones to their launch locations. Former President Biden and his National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby had maintained throughout the events that the drone activity posed no security threat.
FAA’s Rapid Response to December’s Drone Activity
In a significant regulatory response to the surge in drone sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented extensive flight restrictions across New Jersey during the peak of the incidents. On December 18, 2024, the agency issued 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) covering critical infrastructure sites throughout the state. These restrictions established no-fly zones within a 1 nautical mile radius and up to 400 feet in altitude around designated locations.
The measure, implemented at the request of federal security partners, represented one of the most comprehensive drone restriction efforts in recent history, though the TFRs have since expired as of January 17, 2025. This regulatory action, while temporary, demonstrated the delicate balance authorities must strike between enabling authorized drone operations and protecting sensitive infrastructure.
The timing of these restrictions, now revealed to have coincided with FAA-authorized research flights, adds an intriguing layer to the broader narrative of December’s drone activity.
