over the united states. eventually shot down off of the coast of south carolina by an air force fighter jet. now pentagon officials will not confirm whether or not the new object was also a balloon or its country of origin. officials did say the object was roughly the size of a small car, and was flying at an altitude that will make it a potential threat to civilian aircraft. alaska senator melissa -- spoke with lester holt last night, said she was briefed and told the object was not a balloon. take a listen. >> but today, to know that we have yet another unidentified objects successfully shot down in alaska, making sure that the message is clear that any sovereign territory or airspace in this country, and there's a threat, that there is an incursion. there will be consequences. >> here is nbc news white house correspondent allie raffa with more.