White House Addresses Drone Sightings, But Questions Remain

By Melia Hillman, a senior at Mount St. Dominic Academy

On Tuesday, January 28th, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration authorized the reported drone activity within New Jersey and the Tri-State Area. In her first press conference, Leavitt, the youngest-ever press secretary, confirmed the FAA’s authorization of the drones. Leavitt gave more detail about the drone sightings in New Jersey, assuring reporters and citizens alike that the FAA authorized these drone sightings and that they were “not the enemy.” She also mentioned that some of the drones were recreational ones flown by residents.

This announcement came after many conspiracy theories were floating on social media saying that foreign influence from China or Russia could be the source of the drone activity. Social media had a significant influence on the panic that resulted from the drone activity in New Jersey. Drone sightings were reported in at least six states, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio, with the first sighting beginning on November 18th, 2024, in Morris County, New Jersey. Since then, thousands of videos have circulated, fueling speculation and public concern over the drones' origins.

President Trump, after being elected to office, commented about the drone presence. His golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, has caused him to become a frequent visitor of the state, and he felt inclined to reassure the citizens of the state and nearby areas that he would make this a top priority during his administration. On December 16th, President Trump officially acknowledged the drones, saying, “Something strange is going on and for some reason, they don’t want to tell the people.”

Nearly a month later, Leavitt, in attempting to alleviate any concern about the drones, assured the American people that the drones were “flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.” While the threat of foreign influence is officially confirmed as false, the “various other reasons” Leavitt alludes to are still sparking debate on what research the FAA is doing. There are still many speculations on social media and a constant recurrence of drone videos from as recent as the last weekend in January. The research the FAA is conducting seems to continue, but now, when New Jersey residents look up, they can be put at a little more ease knowing that this activity is federally authorized.

The panic that first occurred in November still lingers, however. Still, with Leavitt confirming the government’s approval of the drone sightings, as well as implying that recreational uses of drones also influenced the drone activity because of curiosity, it seems that the historic drone sightings of 2024 and 2025 finally have an answer. While the White House has dismissed foreign involvement, the FAA’s explanation leaves room for speculation. For now, residents can only watch and wonder.

(NOTE: MSDA senior Melia Hillman is a member of the Mount’s Journalism class. As part of the coursework, some of the articles written in that class are being published in the media, showcasing the students’ journalistic skills and providing real-world writing experience.)