US officials stated on Tuesday that many of the drone sightings reported across the northeastern US are actually commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones, as well as aircraft or stars.

Out of over 5,000 reported drone sightings in New Jersey and neighboring states, fewer than 100 are being investigated, according to the US Defense Department, Homeland Security Department, FBI, and FAA.

The sightings, which began in mid-November, have sparked a social media frenzy, with some speculating about extraterrestrials or foreign interference. However, US officials assured that there was no security or safety risk posed by the reported drone activity.

To address concerns, the Biden administration is planning a classified briefing for members of the US House Intelligence Committee later on Tuesday. In response to the increasing reports, officials confirmed that advanced detection technology and trained observers have been deployed to the region.

While most sightings have involved manned aircraft, the agencies are urging Congress to pass legislation that would grant them more authority to identify and mitigate potential drone threats. Currently, there are more than 1 million registered drones in the US, and this number is expected to grow.

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