Research and various other reasons' behind hullabaloo - but why didn't someone say that a month ago? Time to pack it up and go home, drone conspiracy theorists: The White House has finally offered an explanation for those mysterious New Jersey drone sightings from late last year - though its rather vague statement raises more questions than it answers.

The unexplained, SUV-sized drones that caused a stir flying over the areas in the Northeast in November and December have returned. As of Sunday, Jan. 25.

"This was not the enemy," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, attributing the statement to President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration said on Tuesday that the FAA authorized the drones to fly over New Jersey last year for research purposes. Few other details were provided.

Research company Enigma Labs said it has tallied 650 sightings nationally described as drone-related since November, with most concentrated in the Northeast.

An FBI investigation into thousands of reported drone sightings around New Jersey late last year has uncovered no suspects or recovered any drones, a spokesperson told us. In addition, scores of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) imposed by the FAA on drone flights over sensitive facilities throughout the region have expired.

On social media, users shared theories that range from foreign interference to UFOs to hobbyist activity. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said there was no evidence" the reported drone sightings posed a threat to national security or public safety or had any foreign connection.

The drones seen flying over New Jersey were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, the White House said on Tuesday. The drones were seen not only over the Garden State but over other states in November, Fox News reported.

Drone sightings in November and December sparked public concern and drew attention from the FBI for investigation

Musk has publicly clashed with the FAA and its former chief, Michael Whitaker. The Federal Aviation Administration is facing its first major aviation disaster in 16 years without a leader because Elon Musk helped push him out.

Aviation regulator has yet to confirm it authorized drones that have been linked to unexplained sightings in the U.S. Northeast.