I think the general assumption is that the US government is competent enough to know the difference between a party balloon and a real threat, but apparently it is not. At least not under the current admin.
America's war on balloons has been ongoing for some time:
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1158048921/pico-balloon-k9yo
America's war on balloons has been ongoing for some time:
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1158048921/pico-balloon-k9yo