Biden Is Considering Public Address on Balloon Before Poland Trip

President Joe Biden is considering a public address ahead of his trip to Poland on the downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon and other unidentified objects, according to people familiar with the matter.

(Bloomberg) — President Joe Biden is considering a public address ahead of his trip to Poland on the downing of an alleged Chinese spy balloon and other unidentified objects, according to people familiar with the matter.

Biden is scheduled to leave for Poland on Feb. 20. His remarks would be the first time he’s addressing the issue — other than off-the-cuff responses to reporters’ questions — since the Chinese aircraft was shot down 11 days ago.

The president is leaning toward speaking publicly about the situation, according to one of the people. If he does speak, he is likely to tell the American people that there’s no need for concern over the downed objects and that the administration took steps to protect American national security in its handling of the alleged espionage craft belonging to the People’s Republic of China.

Biden would also make clear that the incident will not lead to conflict with China, said the person, who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Another person cautioned there is no plan for an address set in stone and the planning could change.

The White House said the spy balloon episode has uncovered a wide-ranging espionage program Beijing has used to target 40 countries worldwide, and US officials have briefed other nations who were overflown by such spy balloons in the past.

The US is now working to recover the payload of the Chinese craft as well as the other objects. Significant amounts of equipment has been recovered, but weather conditions have made the ongoing work difficult.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday the administration would make public its new protocols for how to manage such objects in North American airspace.

The new protocols will likely be classified so it’s not clear how much detailed information US officials will reveal.

Kirby also said the evidence so far suggests the three latest objects shot down by the US military seem to have commercial and benign uses.

NBC News reported earlier on internal discussions about Biden publicly speaking about the balloon and other objects.

White House spokespeople didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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