Stefanik Demands Intel Briefing on Chinese Spy Balloon

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the House Republican Conference Chair and senior member of the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, is demanding an intelligence briefing on the suspected Chinese spy balloon “violating” United States Airspace

“I am demanding an immediate intelligence briefing so that we can know exactly how this happened and what malign intentions are behind this spying to ensure we hold China accountable so the CCP does not violate American sovereignty again,” Stefanik as a senior member of the Intelligence Committee and Armed Services Committee.

Leland Weland Wells / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX

“The Chinese Communist Party’s violation of the United States’ airspace and growing military aggression is a threat to our national security. This should be a wakeup call for Joe Biden’s weakness on the world stage,” Stefanik has been added. “[Biden] can no longer allow China, our greatest geopolitical challenge, to undermine us.”

Stefanik’s demand for a briefing comes as Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder  on Thursday that the United States has “detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now.”

Ryder also added:

The U.S. government including NORAD continues to closely monitor the balloon. The balloon is at an altitude far above that of commercial aircraft traffic. It does not pose a threat to civilians or military personnel. Over the years, instances of this type of balloon activity were previously observed. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information.”

As Breitbart News Kristina Woong reported, a senior defense official told reporters during a briefing, “We are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the [People’s Republic of China].”

The same official noted that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation and had asked for military options but was recommended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, and the commander of NORTHCOM, Gen. Glen VanHerck “not to take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of the people on the ground from the possible debris field.”

Former President Donald Trump demanded that the Chinese spy balloon hovering over the United States be destroyed on Friday morning. “SHOOT DOWN THE BALLOON!” Trump His Truth Social.

Jacob Bliss reports for Breitbart news. You can write to him at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @JacobMBliss.