The US military shot down an unidentified flying object over Lake Huron on Sunday, the fourth target by American forces in about a week. Defense officials on Sunday night declined to identify what the three objects shot down over the weekend might be, raising questions about the objects’ potential threat and why there is a string of identifications from Chinese spy balloons.
The White House’s on-the-head approach to the alien question comes after Gen. Glenn VanHark, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command, refused Sunday to deny aliens or extraterrestrial involvement. “There is no indication of alien or extraterrestrial activity associated with these recent takedowns,” a defense official said after the general’s comments Sunday night.
“I love the movie ET, but I’m leaving it at that,” joked Jean-Pierre.
“There’s the truth, Karin,” a reporter in the back of the room shot back.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby took the podium next, thanking Jean-Pierre for clearing the air and making his “job easier.”
Kirby offered more details about the three objects on Monday, telling reporters that they were unmanned and that no threats or communications signals had been detected. President Joe Biden has been updated on recent operations, saying the objects were destroyed because of air traffic risks, not surveillance threats.
“We have no specific reason to suspect that they were conducting any kind of surveillance,” he said, adding that it cannot be ruled out.
Kirby said he believes the U.S. is detecting more of these objects because “we’re looking for them now,” noting that U.S. radar systems have been adjusted to better monitor for smaller, slower-moving objects.
“It’s hard for me to say exactly what you can expect going forward. One of the reasons we feel like we’re seeing more is because we’re looking for more. As you heard from General VanHark last night, they modified the filters and gains of the radar capabilities — as we say — to look more precisely at higher altitudes, smaller radar cross sections and lower speed objects,” Kirby said.
“I don’t think the American people need to worry about aliens on this craft,” he said.