U.S. says shooting down Chinese surveillance balloon ‘was an option’ before it entered its airspace

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Friday that the U.S. was tracking a Chinese surveillance balloon before it entered its airspace and that shooting it down “was an option,” but they decided not to since it didn’t “pose a physical or military risk” and they continued to “monitor and review options.” Ryder also stated that they were only tracking one balloon when asked about statements from the Canadian defence minister.