Early in 2023, Legal Insurrection chronicled the saga of the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US.  In addition to the enormous security concerns, as the balloon used an American internet provider to exchange communications with China and the Biden administration desperately tried to hide coverage of the flight.

The Chinese expressed outrage when anF22 fighter jet  downed it off the South Carolina coast, after it had safely transversed the nation.

Now another high-altitude balloon of unknown origin is sweeping across the country, and our military is quickly assuring everyone there is no threat.

CBS News first reported that the military was tracking the balloon as it traversed the Western U.S. earlier in the day. NORAD, the military command responsible for air defense over the U.S. and Canada, later confirmed it had detected the object and said it was floating between 43,000 and 45,000 feet. Its presence prompted enough concern that the command sent aircraft to investigate.

“The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security. NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” NORAD said in a statement. “The FAA also determined the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety.”

One U.S. official told CBS News the balloon was expected to be over Georgia by Friday night. The official said the balloon appeared to be made of Mylar and had a small cube-shaped box, about two feet long on each side, hanging below it. Its origins and purpose remain unknown.

The White House and the Pentagon had no immediate comment.

The balloon is being carried east by the Jet Stream, which boasted near record wind speeds last week, allowing a Virgin Atlantic transatlantic flight to top 800 miles per hour.

It is crossing while Biden already has his hands full with other foreign policy challenges. On Friday he appealed to House Republican leaders to bring lawmakers back to vote on a stalled package to provide $60 billion to aid Ukraine.

He met this week with the wife of slain Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. There are reports Ukrainian forces are rationing ammunition while facing continued Russian attacks. And Israel’s war on Gaza is leading to continued civilian casualties while posing political problems for Biden as he faces more primary election tests.

Biden is already sinking in polls. This event, which is reminding everyone of his rightfully perceived weaknesses, will not help.

GALLUP: President Biden Job Approval

Approve: 38% [-3]
Disapprove: 59% [+5]
—
The Economy: 36-61 (-25)
Foreign affairs: 33-62 (-29)
Immigration: 28-67 (-39, new low)

[Change vs January]
—
538: #35 (2.5/3.0) | 1,006 A | 2/1-20 | ±4%https://t.co/DiXvXU6J9k pic.twitter.com/iofpwq6PYe

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) February 23, 2024

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