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.

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.

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

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

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

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from President Trump which read in part, "this was not the enemy."

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.

The drones seen flying over New Jersey were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, the White House said on Tuesday. The drones were seen not only over the Garden State but over other states in November, Fox News reported.

(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.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said reported drone sightings that sparked panic in New Jersey last month were drones authorized to fly by the<a class="excerpt-read-more" href=" More

The mysterious drones that befuddled New Jersey residents last fall were authorized by the U.S. government, President Trump relayed Tuesday. Meanwhile,