U.S. Shot Down Out-of-Control Chinese Weather Balloon

Feb. 4, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—What could be called “Balloongate” came to a melodramatic end this afternoon when U.S. Air Force fighters shot down the wayward Chinese weather balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a statement saying in part, “The balloon, which was being used by the P.R.C. in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters. On Wednesday, President Biden gave his authorization to take down the surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to American lives under the balloon’s path.” Austin also thanked the Canadian government for the support that it provided as the balloon transited across the North American continent.

“Today’s deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the P.R.C.’s unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” Austin concluded.

We can all sleep easier, tonight, knowing that President Biden is determined to protect us from lost weather balloons.