<p>Secretary of State <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/antony-blinken" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antony Blinken</a> postponed a scheduled trip to <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> after a suspected &#8220;surveillance balloon&#8221; was spotted flying above the western United States.</p>
<p>Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3287173/dod-statement-on-high-altitude-surveillance-balloon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> on Thursday that the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/military" target="_blank" rel="noopener">military</a> observed “a high altitude surveillance balloon” traveling above the nation this week. Blinken delayed the previously scheduled trip hours before he was scheduled to depart, an official <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/china-report-spy-balloon-us-96869979" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> ABC News. Neither country had released details on the agenda for the diplomatic mission.</p>
<p>Ryder said that the United States continues to “track and monitor” the balloon closely and “acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information” once the object was detected. The balloon was spotted above Billings, Montana, after it traveled above the Aleutian Islands and through Canada. A top defense official said the device is still over the country as of Thursday afternoon but did not disclose its position, according to a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-found-northern-us-rcna68879" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from NBC.</p>
<p>“The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground,” Ryder continued. “Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years.”</p>
<p>Montana is the location of several military bases and missile silos. Federal officials previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-quietly-probes-chinese-tech-firm-for-possibly-harvesting-data-from-military-bases-missile-silos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investigated</a> Chinese technology company Huawei over concerns that cell towers in the area using the firm’s devices are transmitting data to the communist nation.</p>
<p>After the balloon was detected, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Vice Chair Joint Chief General Christopher Grady recommended that no “kinetic action” be taken because of possible falling debris. A senior defense official confirmed during a background <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3287204/senior-defense-official-holds-a-background-briefing-on-high-altitude-surveillan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press briefing</a> that the United States had preemptively scrambled F-22 fighter jets as the Billings Logan International Airport issued a ground stop.</p>
<p>“The context for that was it would put some things on station in the event that a decision was made to bring this down while it was over Montana,” the official said. “So we wanted to make sure we were coordinating with civil authorities to empty out the air space around that potential area. But even with those protective measures taken it was the judgment of our military commanders that we didn&#8217;t drive the risk down low enough, so we didn&#8217;t take the shot.”</p>
<p>The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/china-claims-suspected-spy-balloon-is-actually-civilian-airship-that-was-blown-off-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> that the balloon was merely a civilian research vessel that had blown off course. “The airship is from China. It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes,” officials remarked. “Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course.”</p>
<p>Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) said in a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-am-alarmed-montana-gop-sen-steve-daines-wants-briefing-from-secdef-about-chinese-spy-balloon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the incident creates “significant concern” that Malmstrom Air Force Base and the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile fields were targeted for an “intelligence gathering mission.” He called for a full security briefing to discuss the incident.</p>
<p>“I am alarmed by the fact that this spy balloon was able to infiltrate the airspace of our country and Montana,” he wrote. “There is no higher priority for your administration than the safety and security of the American people and it is imperative that your administration reassure them of that fact at this time.”</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Secretary Of State Blinken Will Postpone China Trip Over Suspected Spy Balloon Incident

Bud Light Sales Continue To Plummet, May Soon Lose Status As Number-One Beer

‘Profoundly Christian’: Former Head Of Anglican Church Presses British Government To Endorse Assisted Suicide

Ben Shapiro Reacts To Debt Limit Deal, Hits Both Democrats And Republicans Over Spending Habits

‘The Chosen’ Defends Pride Flag Spotted On Set: ‘Let The Show Speak For Itself’

Chick-Fil-A Faces Backlash As Their Diversity Efforts Resurface, Other Woke Brands Take Beating

North Korea Sentenced Two-Year-Old To Life In Prison After Family Caught With Bible: State Department

News

Antony Blinken

Biden Administration

China

Foreign Policy

Military

Spying

U.S.

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Secretary Of State Blinken Will Postpone China Trip Over Suspected Spy Balloon Incident