‘We heal as a country when we send the message that glorifying political violence is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!’
By Joe Kovacs
(WARNING: Some X posts in this story contain obscenities)
President Donald Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urging major U.S. commercial airlines to fire pilots and other employees who openly celebrated last week’s assassination of civil-rights leader Charlie Kirk.
In a series of posts over the weekend, Duffy thanked American Airlines, United, Delta and SkyWest for suspending the viciously vocal pilots, but also pushed for their termination.
“Thank you @united for doing what’s right by placing pilots celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk out of service,” Duffy wrote. “They must be fired. There’s no room for political violence in America and anyone applauding it will face the consequences. ESPECIALLY those we count on to ensure the safety of the flying public.”
Thank you @united for doing what’s right by placing pilots celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk out of service.
They must be fired.
There’s no room for political violence in America and anyone applauding it will face the consequences. ESPECIALLY those we count on to… https://t.co/5Fyw9LAq5q
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 14, 2025
“Anyone entrusted with the safety of American souls on a plane must have good judgment and compassion,” Duffy indicated.
“As our world heals from the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, we must continue condemning political violence for the greater good of our country.”
Anyone entrusted with the safety of American souls on a plane must have good judgment and compassion.
As our world heals from the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, we must continue condemning political violence for the greater good of our country. https://t.co/I4pqUR2KIN
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 13, 2025
“This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired,” Duffy also stated. “Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public cannot tolerate that behavior.
“We heal as a country when we send the message that glorifying political violence is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!”
American Airlines pilots who were caught celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk have been immediately grounded and removed from service by @AmericanAir.
This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired.
Any company responsible for the safety of the traveling public… https://t.co/nq2B3G84hu
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 13, 2025
Duffy was responding to messages by Milo Yiannopoulos, a self proclaimed civil-rights icon, who noted:
“Steve Holmes, a pilot for @AmericanAir, says he is sorry Charlie Kirk got shot ‘in your fat f***ing face,’ mocking his death as ‘the cost of our liberty.’ Is this normal, American? Passengers will be concerned that yet another pilot of yours is so shameless, hateful and reckless.”
Milo also noted: “Andrew Schweizer, a pilot for @united and @SkyWestAirlines, says he is glad Charlie Kirk is dead, because he was a ‘f***ing Nazi,’ stressing that he ‘chose those words deliberately.’ Would you put your life in Andrew’s hands?”
American Airlines released a statement about behavior by employees, explaining: “American Airlines condemns violence of any kind. Furthermore, hate-related or hostile behavior runs contrary to our purpose, which is to care for people on life’s journey. Any such behavior is unacceptable, and we have already initiated action to address this with our team.”
A leaked internal memo from Delta was published by AviationA2Z, detailing the airline’s recent actions. The memo stated:
- “Whether we’re in uniform and on the clock, online or out in public, our colleagues, customers and communities expect us to reflect Delta’s values – integrity, care and servant leadership – that we hold dear.”
- This week, we were made aware of Delta employees whose social media content, related to the recent murder of activist Charlie Kirk, went well beyond healthy, respectful debate. These social posts stand in stark contrast to our values and our social media policy, and these employees have been suspended pending an investigation.”
- “Violations of our social media policy can carry meaningful consequences, including termination.”
- Remember that we all represent Delta at all times, in any forum. We must act in ways that uphold our shared values and the human connection that defines us.”
