An American Airlines flight traveling from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., made an emergency landing Wednesday after a passenger became disruptive midflight, shouting about living in a “fascist state” as crew members attempted to calm her.
The diversion occurred [1] over Kansas City, where the aircraft landed so the woman could be removed.
Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona confirmed on X that he was aboard the flight along with fellow Arizona representatives Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar.
Stanton wrote that the plane was “making emergency stop in Kansas City to remove disruptive passenger,” and added that “none of my colleagues is the disruptor.”
He also commented that the House Freedom Caucus was “losing its mojo.”
Flying to DC rn to vote no on CR that fails to lower health care costs. @RepEliCrane [2], @RepAndyBiggsAZ [3] & @RepGosar [4] all on this flight. We’re making emergency stop in Kansas City to remove disruptive passenger. None of my colleagues is the disruptor. Freedom Caucus losing its mojo.
— Greg Stanton (@gregstantonaz) November 12, 2025 [5]
Video posted by another passenger showed the unidentified woman being escorted off the plane.
In the footage, she apologized to other travelers and stated that they lived in a “fascist state.”
Sadly, also on this flight with the Congressmen. “We live in a fascist state” were the parting words. https://t.co/m6ASlatES4 [6] pic.twitter.com/HqFqFc8FZ3 [7]
— Adam Burtner (@Adam_Burtner) November 12, 2025 [8]
American Airlines issued a statement describing the incident as involving a “disruptive customer.”
Flight data indicated the diversion delayed the arrival in Washington by roughly an hour, with the flight landing at approximately 9 p.m.
All four Arizona lawmakers reached the Capitol before the scheduled vote on legislation to end the government shutdown.
Stanton voted against the measure, stating it “fails to lower health care costs.”
Crane, Biggs, and Gosar voted in favor of the bill.
The House approved the Senate-passed funding package by a vote of 222–209.
JUST IN: Democrats began SCREECHING at each other on the House floor when members of their own party defected and voted to REOPEN
“NO!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!”
*unintelligible screaming*
Democrats are in full meltdown mode pic.twitter.com/6wlCkAT31E [9]
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 13, 2025 [10]
The legislation reinstated food assistance benefits for more than 40 million Americans, restored pay for federal employees including air traffic controllers, increased security funding for lawmakers, and provided for the rehiring of laid-off federal workers.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the legislation for not addressing health care cost increases, but the measure advanced through both chambers without delay.
President Trump signed the bill into law Wednesday night, formally ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
During remarks at the White House, President Trump appeared alongside Republican leaders and representatives from several business and labor groups.
He said, “I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,” urging voters to keep the shutdown fight in mind.
President Trump also renewed his call to eliminate the filibuster, a position opposed by leadership in both parties.
The President thanked the Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, as well as organizations including the American Federation of Government Employees, the Farm Bureau, and the Fraternal Order of Police for supporting the agreement.
The shutdown’s conclusion allowed federal agencies to resume operations immediately, ending weeks of disruption to services and pay for government employees.
The emergency landing earlier in the day did not impact the timing of the vote, and all Arizona delegates involved in the flight were present on the House floor as the funding package moved forward.