FAA Authorized Mysterious New Jersey Drone Flights, Sparking Outrage

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A week after taking office, President Trump revealed that the mysterious drone swarms spotted over New Jersey last year were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research purposes, sparking criticism and confusion over the agency’s lack of transparency.

In a statement read by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump said, “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 … this was not the enemy.” The announcement came after months of speculation and public concern over the unexplained drone activity, which began in November and prompted investigations by the FBI and local law enforcement.

The FAA did not disclose its involvement during the initial uproar, leaving state and local authorities in the dark. FAA spokesman Christopher Mullooly referred questions to the White House, stating only that the agency’s role is to ensure drones operate safely within the National Airspace System. He noted that drones flying below 400 feet, in compliance with FAA rules, are legal.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden expressed “extreme disappointment” with the FAA’s lack of transparency. “The unexplained drone activity led to significant public concern with residents, members of law enforcement, state, federal, and local authorities scrambling for answers,” Golden said in a Facebook post. “The FAA’s lack of transparency regarding the nature of the operation heightened alarm and created unnecessary anxiety in the community.”

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, whose office conducted nightly searches for the drones, said he was relieved to learn the flights were government-authorized. “Just tell us what you’re doing and I’m good,” Mastronardy said. However, he criticized the federal government for not informing local authorities sooner, noting that the lack of communication led to a 50% spike in 911 call volume during the height of the sightings.

Republican officials also voiced frustration. Assemblyman Paul Kanitra called the Biden administration‘s handling of the situation “absurd,” while State Sen. Jon Bramnick emphasized the need for government transparency. “The lack of communication from the Biden administration led to very real concern from New Jersey residents,” Bramnick said.

The FAA’s authorization of the flights raised further questions, particularly regarding temporary flight restrictions imposed over parts of New Jersey during the same period. The restrictions, ostensibly for “special security reasons,” prevented unmanned aircraft from operating below a certain altitude within a nautical mile of restricted airspace.

Howard Kyle, president of the National Aviation Research and Technology Park (NARTP) near the FAA’s Tech Center in Egg Harbor Township, said current research involves new approaches to radar use in autonomous flight. “The next phase of aviation will involve a degree of autonomous flight,” Kyle said. “Radar provides the sort of coverage you need to direct aircraft that might be flying autonomously.”

Sheriff Golden is now calling for congressional hearings to address the lack of transparency and coordination between federal, state, and local authorities. “Residents of New Jersey were subjected to weeks of fear and uncertainty, with no clear communication or explanation at the time,” Golden said. “For the FAA to now claim this was for ‘research’ shows a complete disregard for the trust and safety of our communities.”