(The Hill) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the drone sightings over New Jersey late last year were either authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or were from hobbyists and enthusiasts.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at her first press briefing that the FAA had flown drones in the area for research purposes.

“Many of these drones were also hobbyist, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones,” she said. “In time it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.”

The drone phenomenon captured the attention of the American public in late November and into December as sightings skyrocketed in the state and elsewhere in the country, primarily along the East Coast.

The drones were also reported near sensitive military sites, raising concerns about national security.

Lawmakers and public officials began questioning whether a foreign adversary was involved or if the Biden administration was holding back information.

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Trump himself, who was then president-elect, also said he was concerned about the drones and promised to look into it. On Inauguration Day, he told reporters he would inquire into the matter.

Biden administration officials had insisted that the drones were not from foreign adversaries and said the FBI had identified only a small number of leads from thousands of reported sightings. Many of the drones were lawfully operated or mistaken for planes and other aerial objects.

The Biden administration did say there could be improvements to identify and counter any drone threats.