• Theory 1: NORAD detected balloon but told no one since it looked nonthreatening. (How could they know it wouldn’t release an EMP?)
• Theory 2) NORAD told higher-ups but they did nothing.
• Theory 3) Higher-ups told Biden but he did nothing. (Recall he reportedly opposed killing Bin Laden). Only public pressure forced shootdown.
• Theory 4) Government is becoming as sleepy and impaired as its leader, and is unable to respond promptly to possible threats.
• Theory 5) Government is focused on jailing, censoring political opponents, so has little time or energy left for fighting real enemies.