White House rejects Republican fire over wait to down Chinese spy balloon

The US transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, rejected Republican criticism of Joe Biden over the eight-day wait to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon which flew over military sites.

The incident prompted the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, to cancel a Beijing trip.

US officials said the balloon entered the US air defense zone north of the Aleutian Islands on 28 January and moved across Alaska into Canadian airspace. It crossed Idaho on Tuesday, the day the White House said Biden was briefed.

Biden wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday but was advised to wait for when it was over water, the officials said, because bringing it down over land from 60,000ft would pose an undue risk.

At about 2.39pm ET, an F-22 fighter jet fired a missile about six nautical miles off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the deflated balloon descending like a ribbon. Debris landed in 47ft of water. Officials said recovery would be completed swiftly.

Other Republicans hinted at a House investigation.

The Pentagon has acknowledged reports of a second balloon over Latin America. Officials said the balloon over the US was part of a fleet and could be maneuvered remotely, carrying equipment not usually associated with meteorological research.

Mike Mullen, a retired admiral and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said the balloon incident had damaged attempts to strengthen US-China relations.

The briefing will cover information regarding surveillance capabilities, research and development, and advanced weapons systems, Schumer said.