Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) believes the United States “humiliated” China after shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon last week.
Also Read– New Evidence In Hunter Biden Investigation, Secret Service Accused Of Covering Up Police Probe
Schumer said in an interview with ABC’s This Week that the Chinese were “caught lying” about the balloon and its intended purpose. Chinese officials stated that the balloons were not part of an intelligence operation but rather objects that were blown off course while gathering meteorological data.
“I think the Chinese were humiliated,” Schumer said. “I think the Chinese were caught lying. I think it’s a real step back for them.”
The balloon has become a hot-button topic for debate, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are questioning the timeline of the balloon’s air travel and why it took so long for the U.S. to give the orders to shoot it down.
Also Read- F.B.I. Searches Mike Pence’s Home After Discovery of Classified Documents
The U.S. has shot down several high-altitude objects over the past few days, which Schumer says U.S. officials believe are also Chinese surveillance balloons.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that he ordered the takedown of an object that “violated Canadian airspace.” The North American Aerospace Defense Command shot down the object using a U.S. F-22.
Another object was shot down over Alaska on Friday, but neither incident has been officially labeled as a Chinese spy balloon takedown.
Schumer said he thinks the Chinese may need to rethink their intelligence efforts and get rid of the spy balloon surveillance program.
“I think they are probably gonna have to get rid of it or do something,” Schumer said. “Because they look really bad.”
Also Read- Legendary composer Burt Bacharach dies
Schumer added that Chinese spy balloons have not been isolated to just North American airspace. Officials say Chinese balloons were spotted over five continents as part of a wider surveillance program.
“They’re not just doing the United States,” Schumer said. “This is a crew of balloons. We saw one in South America.”
Read More:- Bear stuck in ice given Pop Tarts during ill-advised rescue attempt
Biden had ordered the first balloon to be shot down earlier last week, but defense officials held off shooting it down until more information could be gathered. It was finally shot down while floating off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.
