Former NJ Congress Candidate Kicked Off Newark Flight

NEWARK, NJ — A woman from Middlesex County who unsuccessfully challenged Congressman Frank Pallone in the 2020 Democratic primary was kicked off an American Airlines flight at Newark airport this past Saturday.

A spokesman for American Airlines said Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, 27, of New Brunswick was arguing with the man during the boarding process, and she continued to confront him when they both were on the plane, and began filming him with her cell phone.

The spokesman, Andrew Trull, said the incident began between her and the man during the boarding of Flight #2029.

"Initial witness accounts indicate the conflict began during TSA screening. Both PreCheck and non-PreCheck screening were consolidated into one open lane," said Trull. "Our understanding is that Ms. Al-Khatahtbeh believed the other passenger, who is enrolled in PreCheck, was getting favorable treatment because he was allowed to proceed through security while she was removing her shoes."

"This led to a verbal altercation that continued through the terminal and on the plane where Ms. Al-Khatahtbeh confronted the passenger and began filming him before taking her seat," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark airport, said Al-Khatahtbeh was taken off the plane and released.

"The Port Authority Police Department received a request from American Airlines personnel, who indicated the airline had directed a passenger to deplane from a flight, and that police assistance was needed," said the spokeswoman. "Police responded, and briefly took the individual into custody; she has been released."

Al-Khatahtbeh was charged with delaying transportation and defiant trespass for refusing to leave the plane, said the Port Authority.

She shared a video to Twitter that she says show her being escorted off the plane by U.S. marshals.

Al-Khatahtbeh, a Rutgers grad, ran as a far-left progressive in the vein of Sen. Bernie Sanders. She criticized Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone, D-Monmouth, for sitting in office too long. According to the results from the July 2020 primary, she received a total of 1,224 votes when she ran against him.

Pallone's other challenger, similar pro-Bernie progressive Russell Cirincione received 6,100. Pallone received 36,343 votes.

The 6th Congressional District stretches from Carteret and Woodbridge into Edison, Metuchen, New Brunswick and down to Asbury Park. It hugs the Bayshore coastline, including towns such as Aberdeen, Matawan, Hazlet, part of Middletown, Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, Sea Bright and West Long Branch.

Related: Muslim Woman Challenging Frank Pallone Receives Death Threat (April 23, 2020)