The controversial Chinese balloon that traversed the United States has been shot down.
A live feed on YouTube covered the balloons plummet from 60,000 feet.
A full air ground-stop was in effect in the area until 3:30 pm.
ET to facilitate the balloon takedown.
The administration line was that debris from any shoot would potentially cause damage.
But President Biden said today to reporters, Well take care of it.
A few hours later, the balloon was shot down.
Chinas foreign ministry has claimed it is a civilian balloon used for meteorological purposes that was blown off-course.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a high-stakes Beijing trip aimed at easing U.S.-China tensions.
A second balloon was spotted over Latin America.
AF1 landed at Hagerstown Regional Airport at 3:06 PM.
Biden stepped off at 3:15 PM and spoke to reporters.
He said they didnt want to do damage to anyone on the ground.
They successfully took it down and I want to compliment our aviators that did it, Biden said.
