Although President Donald Trump has already demonstrated his press availability on multiple occasions since taking office, Tuesday represented the first official White House press conference since he was inaugurated for a second term.
The event covered an array of topics and introduced the world to incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
At one point, she provided an update that she specified came “directly” from the president, providing an update about the strange drones spotted flying in the sky above New Jersey and elsewhere in recent weeks.
As Fox News reported:
“After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized by the FAA for research and various other reasons,” Leavitt said.
In addition to those authorized by the FAA, other drones flown by hobbyists were sighted, and that number increased as curiosity about the phenomenon grew, the White House said.
“This was not the enemy,” Leavitt said.
The drone sightings in November and December originally raised public concerns and even attracted the attention of the FBI.
The new information sparked a flurry of social media posts:
🚨BREAKING: Press Secretary Leavitt says the drones seen flying over New Jersey were given the green light by the FAA for what they call "research purposes."
Why couldn’t Biden just inform the public? pic.twitter.com/zxTNUhoasC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 28, 2025
We must demand clearer protocols for informing the public about such operations.
— Matter of Wisdom | Let's grow (@MatterOfWisdom) January 28, 2025
🚨 #BREAKING: Press Secretary Leavitt reveals the drones that were flown over New Jersey were AUTHORIZED by the FAA for "research purposes"
"This was not the enemy," Leavitt says
WHY DID BIDEN LIE? WHY NOT JUST TELL US THAT? pic.twitter.com/rTTnOhdZHL
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 28, 2025
Trump on inauguration day: Let's find out what was happening with the New Jersey drones and tell the public immediately.
Today: "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."
It's… pic.twitter.com/fTBtVHNeXJ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 28, 2025
The Hill provided a rundown of the youngest-ever White House press secretary’s qualifications ahead of her first press conference:
Before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign, Leavitt was a top aide to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), another Trump ally whom he chose to serve as ambassador to the United Nations.
Leavitt served as a press aide and speechwriter for Trump during his first administration under former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who is now a Fox News host. McEnany has spoken glowingly about Leavitt’s fitness for the role.
On Tuesday, Leavitt will find herself in the national spotlight as Trump’s presidency enters its second week.
After working in Trump’s first White House, Leavitt ran an unsuccessful 2022 campaign for New Hampshire’s 1st District, after winning a contested GOP primary.
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