A flight carrying four members of Congress to Washington, D.C., for a crucial vote to end the government shutdown was suddenly diverted after a passenger caused a disturbance — shouting to fellow travelers, 'We live in a fascist state!'
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) shared on X Tuesday that his American Airlines flight — which also included fellow Arizona lawmakers Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar — was forced to make an “emergency stop in Kansas City” after an unruly passenger caused a midair disturbance shortly after taking off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
After flying for nearly three hours, the plane was rerouted to Kansas City International Airport, where it landed safely around 6:15 p.m., according to FlightAware.
A video captured by another passenger after the emergency landing shows Kansas City police officers boarding the Airbus A320 and escorting a woman off the plane as stunned travelers looked on.
As officers escorted her down the aisle, the woman could be heard apologizing to fellow passengers — before leaving them with one final, unexpected message.
“We live in a fascist state,” she declared to the entire cabin, her voice echoing through the stunned silence.
About an hour after the unexpected detour, the plane was back in the air — finally landing at Reagan National Airport at 9:01 p.m.
Stanton later praised the Kansas City Police Department, thanking officers "for handling the situation professionally and without incident."
The flight had been airborne for nearly three hours when it was rerouted to Kansas City International Airport, touching down safely around 6:15 p.m. X / @gregstantonaz
Although the exact nature of the passenger’s disruption remains unclear, American Airlines confirmed the emergency landing was prompted by the actions of “a disruptive customer.”
“On Nov. 11, American Airlines flight 1218, with service from Phoenix (PHX) to Washington, DC (DCA), diverted to Kansas City (MCI) due to a disruptive customer,” the airline told KSHB 41.
“Law enforcement met the flight and removed the customer, and the flight later re-departed for DCA, where it landed normally. We thank our customers for their patience and our crew members for their professionalism.”
As police escorted the passenger off the plane, she could be heard apologizing to fellow travelers while delivering a final, parting message. X / @Adam_Burtner
On Wednesday, President Trump signed the bill ending the 43-day government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — after the House approved the legislation earlier that day.
The House approved the Senate’s funding bill with a 222-209 vote, restoring paychecks for federal employees and air traffic controllers while replenishing funding for food assistance programs.
The legislation finally “reopens the government, restores critical services, and puts an end to the needless hardship Democrats have inflicted on the country,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.).
