The Chinese spy balloon that traveled across the United States in early 2023 was reportedly carrying American technology, raising concerns about how U.S. advancements ended up being used for Chinese military operations.
In January 2023, the Biden administration became aware of the Chinese surveillance balloon as it entered U.S. airspace over Alaska. However, rather than immediately addressing the threat, officials remained silent, allowing the balloon to continue its path across the continental U.S., passing over sensitive military sites.
The public only became aware of the balloon when a local photographer in Montana captured images of it, forcing the administration to acknowledge its presence.
The balloon continued its journey across the country, flying over nuclear silos and other critical military installations.
Despite knowing the risks, President Joe Biden and then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley opted not to take action until after the surveillance mission had been completed. Days later, once the balloon had finished collecting intelligence, it was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the Carolinas.
According to Pentagon officials, the spy balloon was massive—about 200 feet tall and weighing thousands of pounds. It was also equipped with explosives, likely intended to self-destruct if necessary, to prevent its capture.
While the Biden administration eventually took action by downing the balloon, the delay in doing so allowed China to gather intelligence for days without interference.
Adding to the controversy, reports indicate that Biden officials deliberately withheld information about the balloon from both the public and Congress. Even the Gang of Eight, the top bipartisan congressional leaders who are typically briefed on national security threats, were kept in the dark. Mark Milley, despite being fully aware of the situation, followed the administration’s lead and did not disclose any details to the American people.
NBC News later revealed that the military had been tracking the balloon for approximately ten days before it entered U.S. airspace. General Glen VanHerck, the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), contacted Milley on January 27, informing him that military jets were being dispatched to assess the unidentified object. However, despite NORAD’s efforts, the administration remained hesitant to take immediate action.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the White House’s initial response was to keep the balloon’s existence a secret. One former senior U.S. official stated, “Before it was spotted publicly, there was the intention to study it and let it pass over and not ever tell anyone about it.” This statement suggests that had the balloon not been detected by the public, the administration may have never disclosed its presence at all.
The Chinese spy balloon incident significantly strained U.S.-China relations, bringing them to one of their lowest points in recent history.
The extent of the information China was able to collect remains unknown. However, given that the balloon was allowed to traverse multiple states and hover over military sites, the intelligence gathered could be significant. Some experts believe that China may have used the balloon to test American response times and assess weaknesses in U.S. airspace security.
Despite the severity of the incident, Biden largely downplayed its significance. His administration did not impose any serious consequences on China for the breach of U.S. airspace. Critics argue that this lack of response sends a dangerous message, showing weakness at a time when China has been increasingly assertive on the global stage.
The involvement of U.S. technology in the spy balloon further amplifies concerns about national security. It is unclear whether the technology was acquired through espionage, theft, or other means, but its presence on a Chinese surveillance device highlights vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
The U.S. government has long been aware of China’s efforts to obtain American technology, yet this incident proves that existing safeguards may not be sufficient.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Joe Biden granted Mark Milley a pardon before leaving office, shielding him from any potential consequences related to his handling of the situation. Many critics see this as a move to protect those involved in the administration’s decision to remain silent about the balloon.