Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) says he is concerned over the “lack of transparency” regarding the Chinese spy balloon spotted over his district earlier this week.
Rosendale, who represents Montana’s newly formed 2nd Congressional District, said he reached out to officials about the balloon and reports of an unexaplined potential explosion near Billings, Montana, Friday.
SECOND SUSPECTED CHINESE BALLOON SPOTTED OVER LATIN AMERICA
I am genuinely concerned with the lack of transparency about the original Chinese Spy balloon and potential unexplained explosion above Billings. I have reached out to the Commanding Officer at Malmstrom Air Force base for details.
— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) February 4, 2023
“I am genuinely concerned with the lack of transparency about the original Chinese Spy balloon and potential unexplained explosion above Billings. I have reached out to the Commanding Officer at Malmstrom Air Force base for details,” Rosendale said in the tweet.
“Additionally, I have requested a briefing from Sec of Defense Lloyd Austin to get accurate information on these developments,” he said in a follow-up tweet.
The city of Billings says it has “confirmed” with the governor’s office and the state’s Disaster Emergency Services that there were no explosions in the state and that there have been no reports of any plane crashes. A video had been making the rounds on Twitter alleging an explosion and potentially something being shot out of the air.
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The balloon was detected by government officials Wednesday. The Pentagon said it deliberated shooting the balloon down but decided against it.
Officials say the balloon poses no civilian threat and is likely for surveillance. The balloon sighting did cause Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel his planned trip to China.
“Conditions were not conducive for a constructive visit at this time,” Blinken said.
