White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the drones that spooked New Jersey residents last month were “not the enemy,” reading aloud President Trump’s assessment that many were doing “research” — an assertion that generated new questions.
“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, reading Trump’s dictation at her first briefing.
“Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.”
The explanation did not clarify what research was being performed — in many cases near military bases — or detail what “other reasons” were at play.
Some leading politicians have been skeptical of the official explanation that the drones were innocent.
Hellbound and Down 