He just shot down the balloon after it crossed the entire country and gathered whatever info it did which transmitted instantly to China and I suspect there was some kind of kill switch that allowed them to wipe everything, like with a cloth or something, and possibly destroy whatever equipment and technology was aboard. So Magoo got a double credit. He allowed his Chinese masters to freely surveil everything they wanted and now will take a victory lap for doing something that should have been done days ago.

And with regard to the supposed threat to people and property, I hope you noticed that when it was hit it didn’t blow up but floated gently down earth giving the Air Force plenty of time to intercept and move it.