Passenger removed from an American flight for not wearing a face mask.
Self-described “former liberal” and conservative media personality Brandon Straka was kicked off an American Airlines flight on Wednesday after refusing to wear a face mask.
Straka, an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump boarded a flight in New York destined for Tusla (via Dallas), where the President is holding a rally on Saturday.
According to reports, during the boarding process, American cabin crew asked Straka to put on a face mask.
Claiming there was no federal law requiring passengers to wear one when flying, Straka refused, prompting the airline to remove him from the aircraft.
After the incident, he tweeted: “I was just removed from my flight for not wearing a mask. 1st time this has happened. Not a federal law.
“@AmericanAir staff standing over me telling me it’s THE LAW. So much for ‘please respect those who can not wear a mask’. When I pointed out this wasn’t a law I was removed.
“Entire episode is filmed. AFTER removing me flight manager says- they made a mistake. They had no right to ask you that.”
Although there is no federal law requiring passengers to wear face coverings on flights, carriers are able to enforce their own rules surrounding Covid-19 safety precautions.
In a statement, American Airlines said: “After he refused to comply with the instructions provided by the flight crew, our team members asked him to deplane. He deplaned and the flight departed the gate four minutes late at 12:34 p.m. ET.
“He was then rebooked on another flight after agreeing to follow the policy.”
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