FBI Director Robert Mueller says the authorities deploy drones for surveillance in the United States in some limited law enforcement situations.
Mueller confirmed the domestic use of the unmanned aircraft on June 19 in response to questions from U.S. senators.
The FBI later released a statement that said drones are used only to watch stationary subjects and to avoid serious risks to law enforcement agents.
It said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approves each use of drones.
Officials have previously acknowledged that the United States uses armed drones to target terrorist suspects in foreign countries and also uses unmanned aircraft to monitor the U.S. border with Mexico.
Mueller confirmed the domestic use of the unmanned aircraft on June 19 in response to questions from U.S. senators.
The FBI later released a statement that said drones are used only to watch stationary subjects and to avoid serious risks to law enforcement agents.
It said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approves each use of drones.
Officials have previously acknowledged that the United States uses armed drones to target terrorist suspects in foreign countries and also uses unmanned aircraft to monitor the U.S. border with Mexico.