[DeadheadNM]

The statement from the Defense Department can be read HERE

"The official said Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration." That's the entirety of the Pentagon's claim, a single sentence.

Note the "official" is unnamed and no details are given as to whether these alleged additional examples were a similar type spy balloon, where/when the alleged additional brief incursions happened, or for how long these balloons were allegedly in US airspace.

It's irresponsible to draw any conclusions from this single sentence inserted into DOD statement unless and until a named official goes on record and provides details and documentation such as we saw this week regarding the balloon sent by the Peoples Liberation Army of the communist Peoples Republic of China. Otherwise, it's hearsay or potentially cover/deflection for the bungling we witnessed this week.

In its current form, the sentence from the DOD essentially propaganda.