HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today demanded answers from the Biden administration on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) spy balloon which has flown over parts of Montana.

“On behalf of the people of Montana, I write to demand answers on the Chinese Communist Party’s spy balloon which has infiltrated United States airspace, flown over the State of Montana, and continues to traverse our airspace,” Gov. Gianforte wrote to Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). “Ultimately, the chief responsibility of government is to ensure the safety and security of the American people. The people of the United States and Montana deserve full, prompt answers.”

Gov. Gianforte emphasized that “it is critical for DoD and the administration to be forthright” and answer questions Montanans have, providing a list of questions to Sec. Austin.

The governor asked Sec. Austin specifically, “What actions are being taken by DoD and the administration to take down the CCP’s spy balloon? If there are none, why not?”

The questions the governor posed on behalf of Montanans include when the CCP’s spy balloon infiltrated U.S. airspace, what intelligence the DoD believes the CCP’s spy balloon is gathering, and what actions the administration and DoD are taking to take down the CCP’s spy balloon.

The governor also emphasized the military readiness of the Montana Air and Army National Guard, writing, “The Montana Air and Army National Guard remains ready to assist with operations to defend our country and protect our people from nefarious actors who threaten our national security and way of life.”

The CCP spy balloon was identified over Billings, Montana on Wednesday afternoon, temporarily shutting down commercial air traffic.