Biden Brushes Off Mysterious Drones With Vague Explanation: ‘Nothing Nefarious Apparently’

President Joe Biden addressed a surge in drone sightings across the East Coast for the first time on Tuesday with the vague assurance that there was “nothing nefarious” going on “apparently.”

The wave of unmanned aircraft reports has stirred bipartisan demands for transparency and provoked countless theories online.

The president didn’t offer much but appeared to suggest the sheer number of sightings was part of a fad by enthusiasts.

Nothing nefarious apparently. But they’re checking it all out. I think it’s just one – there’s a lot of drones authorized that’s up there. I think one started and they all got, everybody wanted to get in their deal.

A joint statement released Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Defense Department, and the FBI, agencies stressed the sightings shouldn’t cause alarm and pose no imminent “national security or public safety risk.”

According to the agencies, more than a million drones are legally registered with the FAA, and authorities have fielded over 5,000 tips in recent weeks. Many reported objects turned out to be not only commercial and hobbyist drones, but also police aircraft, conventional airplanes, helicopters, and even celestial bodies such as stars.

The public pressure for more information has come from all corners. Critics and concerned officials—ranging from President-elect Donald Trump and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to members of Congress—have demanded clarity.

Behind closed doors on Tuesday, House Intelligence Committee members received a private briefing from intelligence officials on the matter.