GOP Senators Accuse Pentagon Official of Leaking Classified Information on Chinese Spy Balloons

According to two Republican senators, Colin Kahl, a Pentagon official leaked classified information regarding Chinese spy satellites to divert blame on the Biden Administration’s mishandling a similar spy drone in U.S. space last month.

Kahl was appointed by President Joe Biden as his undersecretary for defense policy. He provided classified information to reporters. It revealed that spy balloons from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), may have entered the United States during Trump’s administration, Sens. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) Marco Rubio (R.-Fla.) wrote in March 10 letter.

This is the first time Kahl has been identified as the source of these leaks, which seem to have been an attempt to shift blame away from Biden after the administration allowed the Chinese spy balloon to fly across the entire United States before shooting it down off the coast of South Carolina.

However, the Pentagon official did not mention that previous Chinese balloons had been discovered later and that the Trump administration didn’t have the time to respond.

“In addition, soon after the balloon became public knowledge, Dr. Kahl leaked previously classified information to the press about prior Chinese surveillance balloons during the Trump administration,” The senators stated this in their letter.

“It remains unclear whether this leak was cleared internally through the proper channels. Either way, it was a brazen attempt to shift blame. Most egregiously, Dr. Kahl omitted a key detail in his distribution of this sensitive information to the press – the prior Chinese balloons were only discovered much later. The Trump administration did not have an opportunity to respond at the time.”

The lawmakers stated that they were done with their comments. “sincerely hope you will hold Dr. Kahl accountable for his politicization of previously classified materials. This type of behavior is the reason every Senate Republican voted against Dr. Kahl’s nomination in 2021.”

Further information has been released about China’s spy satellites. The chiefs of the United States Northern Command and Southern Commands claim that China downed one of its spy balloons shortly after it passed Central America. This was at the same time as another one flew into the United States on March 8. The Epoch Times reported previously. reported.

“What I understand is the PRC actually terminated that balloon in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of South America,” Gen. Glen VanHerck is the head of the U.S. Northern Command. He spoke to the House Armed Services Committee during a hearing.

Gen. Laura Richardson of the U.S. Southern Command confirmed this to be true. They did not disclose the date and time of the takedown or the location of the balloon remnants.

The Epoch Times requested comment from the Pentagon but they did not respond immediately.