Is the Trump administration on the verge of stopping most drone sales just ahead of Christmas?

A deadline of December 23 is nearing for DJI, which manufactures 90 percent of the globe’s drones, to complete a U.S. government audit. If they fail to do so, U.S. law requires DJI to be added to the FCC’s Covered list, essentially prohibiting any further sales in the U.S.

DJI has shown a willingness to comply with the new U.S. audit, referencing its history of independent audits along with a Department of the Interior audit. However, without any feedback from the Trump administration three weeks before the deadline, the sale of DJI drones may be halted.

In response, DJI dispatched open letters to Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, FBI chief Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Department of Defense leader Pete Hegseth, whom they had previously approached privately.

“In September, you communicated in writing the Department’s readiness to collaborate with DJI,” the letter to Noem indicates. “We are confident in the security of our technology and are keen to meet with you to ensure this Congressionally-mandated security review is conducted promptly.”

Adam Welsh, DJI’s global policy head, emphasized the safety of DJI drones, pointing out that flight logs are not kept on servers, images and videos are not saved unless the user opts in, and a “local data” mode disconnects the drone from the internet.

Speaking to users, particularly farmers who depend on drone technology, Welsh cautioned that a ban “would cause significant consumer confusion and deny American drone users due process and information about the safety and security of the DJI products they rely on daily. Not conducting the review goes against Congressional intent for a security assessment.”

The administration has yet to reply to the open letters, but Hegseth’s department has previously asserted—without evidence—that DJI is a Chinese military enterprise.