Biden says recent objects shot down over US not linked to China spy program

President’s ‘private companies’ conclusion likely to fuel criticism that downings were overreaction amid political pressure

Joe Biden has broken his silence on unknown aerial objects shot down over North America during the past week, assessing that they were “most likely” operated by private companies or research institutions rather than China.

The US president’s tentative conclusion is likely to fuel criticism that his orders to take down the objects were an overreaction amid political pressure over the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon that transited much of the country.