Donald Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the drones were for research purposes and 'not the enemy.'

The White House said Tuesday the drones spotted flying over New Jersey late last year were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration for “research and various other reasons.” Before taking questions at her first news briefing,

“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 said. “Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones.