White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a highly anticipated explanation for the mass sightings of unusual aircraft around New Jersey over the past couple of months before turning to questions at her first press briefing of the new term.

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

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump confirmed that the drones that were flying over New Jersey were authorized to be flown by the Federal Aviation Administration for "'research and various other reasons.

Research company Enigma Labs said it has tallied 650 sightings nationally described as drone-related since November, with most concentrated in the Northeast.

(Gray News) - The drones that flew across New Jersey in recent months were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “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 Tuesday.

The drones that were spotted flying over New Jersey late last year were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to President Trump.

On social media, users shared theories that range from foreign interference to UFOs to hobbyist activity. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said there was no evidence" the reported drone sightings posed a threat to national security or public safety or had any foreign connection.

Mysterious drones that hovered over New Jersey last month were authorized by the FAA for research and recreation purposes, the White House says.

Before taking questions at her first news briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave an update she said came “directly” from President Donald Trump.

New Jersey residents were concerned over the mysterious drones that flew above their homes, sparking conspiracy theories about the source.

President Donald Trump last week ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to unwind its diversity, equity and inclusion-based hiring practices, claiming the agency illegally favored minorities, women, people with disabilities and members of other marginalized groups in its hiring under the Biden administration.