We know now what was behind mystery drones

The mysterious drones that alarmed New Jersey residents last year were largely authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the White House confirmed Tuesday.

FAA-Approved Flights Misinterpreted as Threats

Numerous unexplained nighttime drone sightings caused widespread panic, even leading to the temporary shutdown of New York Stewart International Airport. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that most of the drones were authorized for research and other official purposes.

“After research and study, the drones flying over New Jersey in large numbers were FAA-authorized for research and various other reasons,” Leavitt said at a briefing. She added that the situation escalated as hobbyists and private citizens contributed to the drone activity. “This was not the enemy,” she assured reporters.

Misinformation Fueled Fear

Panic over the drone sightings led to a wave of speculation online. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) suggested on Fox News that Iran was responsible, a claim swiftly denied by the Department of Defense.

In response to the growing concerns, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul requested federal assistance, stating that the situation had “gone too far.” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also urged Congress to pass legislation empowering state and local authorities to use advanced drone detection and mitigation technologies.

Calls for Federal Action on Drone Regulations

Former Biden administration official John Kirby pressed for new laws to address the increasing number of drones in U.S. airspace. “Our assessment leads us to conclude that these are lawful and legal aviation activities,” Kirby said, emphasizing that there was “no national security threat.”

With drone use expanding for commercial, recreational, and government purposes, lawmakers continue to debate how to balance safety, security, and technological innovation.