Biden: Unidentified Objects Shot Down ‘Out of An Abundance of Caution’

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Facts

  • In a speech on Thursday, US Pres. Joe Biden gave his first detailed comments on the downing of three unidentified aerial objects flying over North American airspace last weekend, saying the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution.” The US is still working to recover the objects.1
  • The president also said the objects – shot down over Alaska, Canada, and Lake Huron, Mich. – most likely belonged to private companies or were for recreational or scientific purposes, noting that nothing currently indicates they're tied to China’s alleged balloon surveillance program.2
  • The US shot down the objects after shooting down what it alleged was a Chinese spy balloon on Feb. 4. China maintains the aircraft was a weather research balloon.3
  • Biden further added that the detection of the three objects doesn't indicate an increase in unidentified aerial activity but rather that the Pentagon is detecting more slow-moving objects after adjusting its radars in the aftermath of the Chinese balloon incident.4
  • The president also announced that the US is sharpening its rules for dealing with these sorts of incidents but made it clear that any object that’s deemed a threat to the US will be taken “down.”4
  • Amid heightened tensions with Beijing, Biden emphasized that the US 'seek[s] competition, not conflict with China' and detailed plans to meet with Pres. Xi Jinping.5

Sources: 1Abc news, 2Wall Street Journal, 3Al Jazeera, 4Washington Post and 5Forbes.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by Forbes. The president’s underwhelming speech is too little, too late — two weeks late, to be exact. The American people deserve more answers, especially regarding the alleged Chinese spy balloon and why the administration let it traverse the US before shooting it down. The White House's botched response and subsequent lack of transparency have only fueled mistrust.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. While the public's concern is warranted, the president is dealing with very sensitive national security information — much of which is classified — and has shared all he can on this matter. The investigation is still in its infancy, and rather than demanding attention away from it, the public should allow authorities to carry out their probe unhindered.