White House national security communications adviser John Kirby claimed Thursday that many of the alleged drone sightings spotted over New Jersey in recent weeks were actually legally operating manned aircraft.

“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a threat to national security or public safety or have any foreign connection,” Kirby told reporters at the daily White House briefing. “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are investigating these sightings and working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using a variety of detection methods to better understand their origin.”

“Through the use of sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal agencies, we, as well as state and local law enforcement, have not been able to confirm any of the reported visual sightings,” Kirby said. “On the contrary, upon reviewing the available images, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft operating legally. The United States Coast Guard is assisting the State of New Jersey and has confirmed this.” There is no evidence of foreign involvement by coastal vessels. More importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in restricted airspace.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Brian Harrell, former DHS deputy secretary for infrastructure protection under the Trump administration, said Kirby missed an important opportunity to build public trust.

“The administration has a unique opportunity here to build trust with the American public, and it is playing ball,” Harrell said. “Yes, additional authorities are needed; however, we now have the tools and radar capacity to understand the details of these drones. While I do not believe that foreign nations are involved, it is clear to me that the government or contractors are testing capabilities.”

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Kirby appeared to shift responsibility to Congress, calling on lawmakers to “expand existing countermeasures,” recognizing the potential threat posed by unmanned aircraft.

“We certainly take the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems seriously, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, even though they have not uncovered any malicious activity or intent at this time,” Kirby said on Thursday. “However, while there is no known malicious activity, the reported sightings there highlight a gap in authorities, and that is why we urge Congress to pass important legislation that expands and expands existing anti-drone authorities so that we are better prepared to respond to identification and mitigate potential threats to airports or other critical infrastructure. And so that state and local authorities are provided with all the tools they need to respond to such threats.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., lamented Thursday the lack of information from the White House.

“We should do a very urgent intelligence analysis and get them out of the sky, especially if they are flying over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said, according to The Independent. “The Biden administration should take more aggressive action against these reported drones. If only to tell the American people who owns them, who flies them and what they are. The lack of information is absolutely unacceptable.”

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New Jersey’s Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the reported drones do not appear to pose a threat to public safety. Still, many state and local lawmakers have called for stricter rules on who can fly the unmanned aircraft. The FBI is among several agencies investigating the matter and has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.

Initially, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state’s largest aquifer, about 50 miles west of New York City.

But sightings soon began to be reported across the country, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, according to The Associated Press.

The planes were also recently spotted in coastal areas.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him that a dozen drones closely tracked a Coast Guard rescue boat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend .

During a congressional hearing on the issue, FBI Deputy Director Robert Wheeler testified that the FBI did not know who was responsible for the drones spotted over New Jersey in recent weeks, the Asbury Park Press reported. Smitth said officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst told him they did not have permission from the Defense Department to shoot down the unknown aircraft that were tracking their boats and bring them back for analysis.

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In an interview with Fox News, Smith said he wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking for permission.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.