NEW YORK—Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato of New York was escorted off a plane for making a commotion after a 6½-hour delay.
The incident occurred Monday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
A witness told the New York Post the fracas began when the JetBlue crew asked people who'd paid for extra legroom to switch seats because of weight and balance issues.
The Republican ex-senator, who was in a regular seat, led a chant, “make them move.”
Video showed D'Amato yelling “We can still speak in this country” as he was led away. He urged others to “walk out” in solidarity. A man followed him.
D'Amato’s spokesman said he was sleep-deprived after visiting an ailing friend.
JetBlue said passengers can be removed if there’s a situation that could escalate in the air.
