The US federal government has not yet identified any risks to public safety or national security from the reported sightings of drones flying over the state of New Jersey and the northeastern part of the country, said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, quoted by the Associated Press and BTA.
Kirby specified that according to authorities, these drones are flying legally.
“There are more than one million drones registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration“, Kirby said. "And there are thousands of commercial, recreational and police drones flying legally in the sky every day," he added.
Since the middle of last month, dozens of witnesses in New Jersey have reported seeing drones flying across the state, including near the Picatinny Arsenal – military research and manufacturing center, and over President-elect Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have said there is no evidence the drones pose a threat to public safety, but many state and local lawmakers have called for stricter rules on who can fly unmanned aircraft.
The federal government has sent personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states and is evaluating every tip from citizens, he said, adding that the FBI has received more than 5,000 reports in recent weeks, with only “about 100” are deemed credible enough to warrant further investigation.
However, re-elected US President Donald Trump accused authorities of knowing more than they are saying.
"The government knows what's going on", said the Republican, who will take office on January 20, during a press conference at his Florida residence. "The military knows and the president knows. But for some reason they want to keep the tension going", said the 78-year-old billionaire, noting that "something strange is going on".
Donald Trump said he would not go to his golf course in Bedminster, in eastern New Jersey, next weekend as a precaution, arguing that the drones were "very close" to the area.