After the president spoke briefly about the balloons Saturday. The Federal Aviation Administration said. It halted departures and arrivals at three airports in the Carolinas.
President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke briefly about Chinese spy balloons. That have been circling the United States for the past few days. As the Federal Aviation Administration halted departures and arrivals. At three airports in the Carolinas.
Asked by a reporter if the U.S. would take down the balloon as he once took down the Air Force, Biden said, “We’ll take care of it.” It was the first time Biden spoke about the balloon on camera, . And he did not say how his administration plans to take care of it.
Residents in North Carolina and South Carolina reported sightings of spy balloons Saturday. And the Federal Aviation Administration suspended departures. And arrivals at three local airports due to “a national security effort.”
“The FAA has closed departures and arrivals. At Wilmington (ILM), Myrtle Beach International (MYR). And Charleston International (CHS) airports. To support the Department of Defense in a national security effort.” The FAA said in a statement.
In a news briefing Friday, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said. The military was still “reviewing options.” But had not taken down the balloon. Because “right now we assess there is no physical threat or military threat to people on the ground.”
Ryder said Friday that the balloon was flying at an altitude of 60,000 feet. Above civilian and military air traffic. And headed eastward in the continental U.S. Top Republicans. In Congress have demanded answers from the Biden administration. About the Chinese balloon, which some say the U.S. It should have been shot down. Former President Donald Trump posted. On his Truth social platform, “Bring down the balloons!“
The balloon was spotted over Billings, Montana. After flying through Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and Canada on Wednesday.
China said on Friday that the balloon was a “civilian airship.” Used for meteorological research that must have blown up. Ryder pushed back at Beijing’s claims, saying, “We know it’s a surveillance balloon.“
