On November 11, 2025, an American Airlines flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Washington, DC, was diverted to Kansas City International Airport following a disturbance caused by a passenger. The flight, which was carrying four members of Congress from Arizona, including Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and three Republican representatives—Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar—made an emergency landing approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes after takeoff, arriving safely at around 6:15 p.m.

Rep. Stanton reported the incident on social media, and a video from another passenger showed Kansas City police officers boarding the aircraft to escort the unidentified woman off the plane. During her removal, she expressed her discontent by stating, "We live in a fascist state," a remark that underscores a growing concern among some citizens regarding governmental authority and civil liberties.

American Airlines confirmed that the flight was diverted due to the actions of a "disruptive customer" and indicated that law enforcement was present upon landing to manage the situation. After the incident, the flight continued to its destination, arriving at Reagan National Airport at 9:01 p.m.

The context of the flight's passengers is significant, as Rep. Stanton was returning to Washington to vote against a Republican continuing resolution aimed at ending a prolonged government shutdown, which lasted 43 days—the longest in U.S. history. The following day, President Trump signed a bill that ended the shutdown, allowing for the resumption of paychecks for federal employees and funding for food assistance programs. The House passed the Senate’s funding bill with a vote of 222-209, with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) stating that the legislation would restore critical services and alleviate hardships caused by the shutdown.