Marco Rubio: Missing Chinese spy balloon was a mistake
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) said Friday it was a “mistake” not to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it hovered over a sparsely populated area.
“It was a mistake not to shoot down this Chinese spy balloon as it flew over a sparsely populated area. It’s not some hot air balloon, it has a large sensor payload about the size of two city buses and the ability to maneuver independently. the senator explained:
It was a mistake not to shoot down this Chinese spy balloon as it flew over a sparsely populated area.
It’s not some hot air balloon, it has a large sensor payload about the size of two city buses and the ability to maneuver independently.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 3, 2023
Rubio also said the alleged spy balloon over the United States was “alarming but not surprising”.
“The level of espionage directed against our country by Beijing has increased dramatically over the past 5 years, has become more intense and brazen,” he added:
China’s spy balloon over US is alarming but not surprising
The level of espionage directed at our country by Beijing has increased dramatically over the past 5 years, has become more intense and brazen.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 2, 2023
Rubio’s remarks came as some United States officials urged the Biden administration to take more drastic action and shoot down the balloon, which Pentagon spokesman Brig. General Pat Ryder described it as a “high-altitude observation” balloon. China, initially feigning ignorance, has acknowledged the existence of the balloon, claiming it is simply a “civilian airship” probing the weather, a claim many Republicans reject.
“The CCP’s spy balloon is as much about the weather as the Confucius Institutes are about education,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). “It’s all called SPYING”:
The CCP’s spy ball is as connected to the weather as Confucius institutions are to education.
It’s all called SPYING.
— Senator Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 3, 2023
“SHOOT THE BALL!” former President Donald Trump exclaimed as others expressed similar sentiments:
I know I was just appointed to the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, but I’m going to risk saying that we must not allow a Chinese spy balloon to fly over the United States of America.
Take it off.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 3, 2023
Why doesn’t Biden shoot down a Chinese spy balloon currently flying over the United States?
The Chinese Communist Party is a threat to our existence.
— Senator Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 2, 2023
Fire. It. Way down.
The Chinese spy balloon is a clear provocation. In Montana, we don’t bow. We knock him down.
Take a picture.
— Ryan Zinke (@RyanZinke) February 3, 2023
The balloon was spotted over Montana, where a nuclear mine field is located. On Friday, the Pentagon said it was “currently” over the center of the United States, Breitbart News reported.
“It’s NOT the Moon!” Montana resident spotted supposedly Chinese observation balloon WATCH below:
Leland Wells / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX
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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.
