Some New Jersey lawmakers are calling for a better explanation after President Donald Trump said the sightings over New Jersey could be traced to FAA-authorized drones.

Mysterious drones that hovered over New Jersey last month were authorized by the FAA for research and recreation purposes, the White House says.

Trump has yet to name his pick for FAA administrator following the departure of Mike Whitaker on Sunday. Sean Duffy currently awaits full Senate confirmation to become Transportation secretary, having had his nomination unanimously advanced by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

The White House said the mystery drones flown across New Jersey were "authorized to be flown by the FAA" in the first press briefing of the second Trump administration.

According to the White House Press Secretary Karoline Levaitt, the Federal Avivation Administration (FAA) had been given permission to fly the drones for "research and various other reasons"

President Donald Trump's administration has released an update on the mysterious drones spotted flying over New Jersey beginning last fall: "This was not the enemy."

In her first-ever White House press briefing, Karoline Leavitt Tuesday said President Donald Trump has sent a message regarding the New Jersey drone mystery that they were not enemy, but were authorized flights for research and other reasons.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to end federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors, which the administration defined as under the age of 19.

The FAA directed questions about how the order would affect its hiring practices to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the changes

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared with reporters a message from President Donald Trump providing an update on the mysterious drones sighted over New Jersey.

“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. “Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones.