After months of speculation and investigation, the White House has clarified that the numerous drone sightings over New Jersey, including near Trump's Bedminster club, were authorized by the FAA for research and other purposes. While details remain scarce, the sightings have been attributed to hobbyists, recreational flyers, and even law enforcement agencies.
President Donald Trump 's administration has provided an update on the unexplained drone sightings that occurred over New Jersey starting in the fall of last year. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during her first press briefing on Tuesday that the drones were authorized by the FAA for research and various other purposes.
She clarified that many of these drones were operated by hobbyists, recreational enthusiasts, and private individuals who enjoy flying drones, adding that curiosity also contributed to the increase in sightings. 'This was not the enemy,' Leavitt emphasized.Details regarding the specific research conducted and the nature of the 'various other reasons' for drone flights remain unclear. Leavitt did not disclose information about the owners or pilots of the drones. The influx of drone sightings in various parts of New Jersey, including Trump's club in Bedminster, raised concerns among residents and prompted investigations.In November and December, a significant number of drone sightings prompted public anxiety and even attracted the attention of the FBI. The FAA implemented temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over parts of New Jersey due to the widespread sightings. The FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness issued a joint statement on December 3rd, requesting the public to report any information related to the sightings of possible drones in several areas along the Raritan River.On Monday, Fox News reported that Trump had inquired about the nature of the sightings, directing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to investigate the matter. During an interview with Fox News' Peter Doocy, Trump stated, 'Could we find out what that was, Susie? Why don’t we find out immediately?' He expressed skepticism about the possibility of the sightings being related to enemy activity, saying, 'I can’t imagine it’s an enemy, or there would have been, you know, people would have gotten blown up, all of them.' He speculated that the drones might have been involved in testing activities but acknowledged the lack of clarity surrounding the situation. Former White House national security communications adviser John Kirby previously informed Fox News that an analysis conducted by the White House, in collaboration with the FBI and state and local officials, concluded that 'lawful, legal, commercial hobbyist and even law enforcement aircraft activity' was responsible for the sightings.Tom Adams, a retired FBI special agent and director of public safety for DroneShield, a company specializing in counter-drone defense solutions, commented on the widespread public attention and potential confirmation bias surrounding the drone sightings. He observed that some individuals, particularly those interested in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), were eager to interpret the sightings as being related to drones or extraterrestrial activity. Adams believes that a lack of knowledge about drones and their operation could have contributed to the numerous mistaken sightings. He explained that the rapid increase in drone popularity has led to a lack of public awareness regarding drone regulations and usage. Adams emphasized that identifying drones, especially at night, can be challenging due to the presence of similar lights on aircraft and other celestial objects.Dr. Will Austin, a national drone expert and president of Warren County Community College, attributed the difficulties in identifying drones in the night sky to the 'parallax effect,' stating that it is particularly challenging at night to distinguish aircraft without visual cues. Both Adams and Austin advocate for increased public education about drones to reduce the occurrence of mistaken sightings
DRONES FAA NEW JERSEY TRUMP WHITE HOUSE FBI SIGHTINGS INVESTIGATION PUBLIC CONCERN EXPLANATION
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