(NewsNation) — The public has yet to get answers regarding the mysterious drone sightings reported in eastern states, showing how much the Biden administration “doesn’t seem to have a handle on things,” a former Pentagon official says. 

Lue Elizondo, who led Pentagon investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), aka UFOs, told NewsNation the public messaging surrounding the unexplained drones has been a “catastrophe.” 

“I have never seen an administration handle a topic as poorly as this,” he said. “We’re not informing the American people of the truth and this is yet another example of, for whatever reason, this administration doesn’t seem to have a handle on things.”

Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in New Jersey and parts of New York since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

The FAA temporarily banned drone flights in 22 areas of New Jersey and 30 areas in New York, where critical infrastructure is located. FAA officials said the flight restrictions were requested by federal security agencies and are effective through Jan. 17.

The agency has warned that “deadly force” could be used against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat” and that the government is using “drone busters” to take down unauthorized flyers. 

Elizondo blasted officials, saying the only two possibilities for the lack of information is that they are either “lying or they’re incompetent.” 

“Either one of those is really a bad place for this administration to be in,” he said.

Elizondo believes the incoming Trump administration may do a better job with transparency, saying many key figures tapped by the former president are known to be “extremely proactive and dedicated to getting to the bottom of what’s actually going on.” 

The FBI, the Homeland Security Department and state agencies have been investigating the drones, but officials say there has been nothing so far to suggest that any drones have posed a national security or public safety threat.

Speculation has run rampant, with some expressing concerns the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents or clandestine operations by the U.S. government.

Authorities say many of the drone sightings have actually been legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters and even stars.

While not identifying the drones as UAPs, Elizondo says the drones fit into what he calls the “five observables” associated with UAPs. 

The possibility is there, he said. 

“Once people really know the truth, the whole truth, about this topic, and particularly the UAP topic, you know, I think there’s going to be a lot of reconciliation.”