Flying objects flying over the American skies are not alien-made. “I don’t think the American people need to worry about aliens, with respect to these craft. Period,” said NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby at the White House press briefing.
A National Security Council Spokesperson revealed the three high-altitude objects the US military shut down do not seem to have been designed for surveillance purposes but that it can’t be ruled out. “While we have no specific reason to suspect they were conducting surveillance of any kind, we couldn’t rule that out,” said Kirby.
Kirby explained that out of an abundance of caution to protect the security of the American people, the President, with the recommendation of military leaders, decided to shoot down the flying objects.
In the case of the Chinese balloon, the administration however is certain that it was a surveillance device with maneuverable capabilities.
China, according to Kirby, has a high-altitude balloon program connected to the People’s Liberation Army. “We have been able to determine that China has a high altitude balloon programme for intelligence collection that’s connected to the People’s Liberation Army,” confirmed Kirby.
The China’s surveillance program was active during the previous administrations but was not detected until now.
Biden’s top priority
Kirby conveyed that the safety and security of the American people are President Biden’s top priorities. “We always do what we need to do to protect our nation’s secrets,” declared Kirby.
The reason why these objects are suddenly appearing more often than before, according to Kirby, is because the airspace security team has adapted the radar parameters. They are now able to identify slow-moving moving objects with high altitudes and small radar cross-sections.
“If we are looking for more, it is likely that we are going to find more,” noted Kirby.
Kirby: We are not flying surveillance balloons over China
Asked at the briefing if the US has any surveillance flying objects in Chinese airspace, Kirby pushed back. “We are not flying surveillance balloons over China. I am not aware of any aircraft that we are flying in the Chinese airspace.”
The administration is working to recover some of the debris from the objects that were taken down.
The White House is hopeful that when, or if, the materials are recovered, the administration will learn more about the devices and how the US can fight this phenomenon.
According to Kirby, the objects shot down around Alaska and Canada are in the ice and wilderness.The search for the devices’ remains is difficult, as the materials are hard to locate in winter weather.
Concerning the object located off the coast of South Carolina, some of the debris and electronics have been recovered, reassured Kirby. The search efforts are ongoing and remain the top priority.
READ ALSO
Why Elon Musk Is Spending Millions to Defend Texas Republicans
Why does a Republican Party that has dominated Texas politics for decades need the world’s richest man to spend so much money defending its hold on the state? That is the question hanging over the extraordinary sums now pouring into the Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Texas has long been…
Keep reading
Trump’s Day in Office: October 15, 2026
8 a.m. President Trump participates in executive time at the White House. Closed to the press. 12:30 p.m. President Trump attends a lunch in the Rose Garden. Closed to the press. 2:30 p.m. President Trump participates in a policy meeting in the Oval Office. Closed to the press. 4 p.m. President Trump participates in a prerecorded interview at the White House. Closed to the press. 6 p.m. President Trump participates in a telephone rally from the Oval Office. Closed to the press. 6:30 p.m. President Trump participates in a second telephone rally.
Keep reading
Trump’s Day in Office: October 14, 2026
President Trump is scheduled to visit Arizona and Montana today, delivering remarks in Bullhead City and Kalispell before returning to Washington. President Trump’s schedule 8:00 a.m. PDT: President Trump participates in executive time. Time not announced: President Trump departs Las Vegas, Nevada, for Bullhead City, Arizona. Time not announced: President Trump arrives in Bullhead City, Arizona. 1:00 p.m.…
Keep reading