CNN’s Don Lemon grilled John Kirby, the coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, about Americans’ safety on the ground as the U.S. takes down high-altitude objects.
President Joe Biden ordered a U.S. F-16 fighter jet to shoot down a flying object over Lake Huron on Sunday afternoon. The move was the latest in a series of similar dawnings that began after Biden faced criticism for waiting several days to order the destruction of a Chinese spy balloon that floated across the continental United States.
Lemon noted recent reports that another object was shot down over Lake Huron, before referencing new revelations that an Air Force jet that fired a missile to take down the object actually fired two after the first one missed the target. It remains unclear where the missed missile landed.
“CNN also learned the first missile launched at the object over Lake Huron did not hit the target,” Lemon said. “Do you know where that missile is? Does it concern you if missiles are missing targets that are over American people, over, you know, the United States?”
“I can’t confirm the reporting that a missile was fired and missed. I would add a couple of thoughts here. One, again, these were very small radar cross section targets. And so, it’s not inconceivable to me as a former military man to believe that one might have missed just because of the size of the target. And there are safety mechanisms in place that pilots use. I don’t think the American people or the Canadian people need to be worried about the possibility that one of those missed.” (RELATED: CNN Host Presses Dem On Whether Biden Is Being ‘Forthcoming’ About Objects Being Shot Down)
“But that is our reporting, that it did not hit its target and this is happening over American air space. If the standard operating procedure going forward is to shoot these objects down to keep civilian aircraft safe in the sky, can you guarantee Americans on the ground that Americans on the ground will also stay safe as well, John?” Lemon asked.
“Yes, I can Don.”
“As simple as that, even though you said you don’t know if it was – where that missile is and you can’t confirm, but that is your reporting?” Lemon pressed.
“I can’t confirm your reporting. There are safety protocols with all these kinds of engagements. The whole purpose of these missions were to keep Americans safe. That’s what was behind the president’s decision from the very, very beginning,” Kirby said, adding the objects that were shot down posed a “potential surveillance risk to sensitive sites on the ground.”
A total of four flying objects have been shot down so far.