China says it reserves right to respond to downing of surveillance balloon

Staff to the so-called "Gang of 8" received a classified briefing on the balloon by the administration Thursday afternoon, according to multiple congressional officials.

The "Gang of 8" refers to the group of congressional leaders who are briefed on classified intelligence matters. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., requested a meeting with the group on Thursday.

"China's brazen disregard for U.S. sovereignty is a destabilizing action that must be addressed, and President Biden cannot be silent," McCarthy said.

It's unclear if the classified briefing for the staff is a precursor to their bosses being briefed. No meeting appears to be on the books so far.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

After saying the Chinese surveillance ballon was headed eastward, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the balloon is "maneuverable."

"So, the balloon is maneuverable. Clearly, it's violated U.S. air space, and again we've communicated that fact to the PRC," Ryder said.

"The balloon has changed its course, which is why we are monitoring it. That is as specific as I can get," he said, not giving further details on how it could be maneuvered.

"We continue to assess and make appropriate decisions based on how we are going to address what we perceive as a potential threat," Ryder added. "The safety and security of the American people is paramount. At this time we assess it does not pose a physical threat to people on the ground."

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed Friday that shooting down the balloon was considered.

"In terms of the discussions about whether or not to shoot down this balloon, that was an option. That was something that was taken into consideration," Ryder said. "Again, because we assessed that currently it does not pose a physical or military risk to people on the ground, for now we are continuing to monitor and review options."

Ryder said because of the "size" of the balloon, "any potential debris field would be significant and potential cause civilian injuries or deaths or significant property damage."

Ryder was asked multiple times if the U.S. will shoot down the balloon once it's over a body of water.

"We are monitoring the situation closely, but beyond that I will not have any additional information," he said.

When asked how close President Joe Biden was to ordering a shootdown of the balloon, Ryder said he "will not get into internal discussions with the White House."

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder disputed statements from China that the balloon spotted over the continental U.S. is a meteorological research device.

“We are aware of the PRC (People's Republic of China) statements. However, the fact is, we know it’s a surveillance balloon,” Ryder said. “I’m not going to be able to be more specific than that.”

“We do know that the balloon has violated U.S. airspace and international law, which is not acceptable,” Ryder told reporters. “We’ve conveyed this directly to the PRC at multiple levels.”