There is no evidence that reported drone sightings in New Jersey pose a national security or public safety threat, White House national security communications advisor John Kirby said on Thursday.
During a press briefing in Washington, D.C., Kirby said the drones, which have caused residents continued frustration and worry for weeks, told reporters Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local and state law enforcement have used numerous "very sophisticated" detection methods to better understand their origin.
Kirby said they have been unable to corroborate any of the reported visual sightings.
"To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully," Kirby said, adding that there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace.
Later on Thursday, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a similar statement on the reported sightings being airplanes.