What if instead of surveillance, the balloon is providing alternate internet connectivity to communicate with spies on the ground. Similar to Starlink in Ukraine and Facebook connectivity in third world countries.
In the wake of the recent full FAA shutdown of our airspace, perhaps assets were attempting to leave the country. Then Schiff gets booted off the Intel committee and immediately goes on TikTok. Maybe the balloon is allowed to exist to capture the devices that attempt to connect.
What do you think?