Of the previous days have shown, we'll always act to protect the interest of the American people and the security of the American people.

Make no mistake, if any object presents a threat to the safety of security of the American people, I will take it down.

President Joe Biden addresses the Chinese surveillance balloon and other objects shot down by the military in

recent days. More of his comments and his message to Beijing in just a moment. Plus, former

President Trump claims total exoneration following the partial release of a grand jury report

on election interference in Georgia. We'll explain why that's not even close to being true.

And also ahead, the latest update from the EPA

on the major Ohio train derailment,

which is now a focus of many conspiracy theorists.

The United States conspiracy theorists. Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Friday.

Folks, we made it.

Friday, February 17th.

I'm Jonathan Lemire.

Thanks for starting your day with us. We'll begin this morning

in Washington, where President Joe Biden spoke extensively for the first time yesterday about his

administration's decision to shoot down four flying objects this month. At the White House, the president

discussed the bringing down of three aerial objects over U.S. and Canadian airspace last weekend,

and of course the downing of that suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina

the week before.

The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely

balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions studying weather,

or conducting other scientific research.

...