Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a congressman with more than half a million followers, posted a screenshot of Facebook criticism from his former co-pilot on Twitter and accused him of “allegiance to Trump over his oath to the constitution.”
The Illinois Republican’s membership on the Democrat-led January 6 committee investigating former President Donald Trump’s alleged role in the Capitol riot has sparked strong condemnation from his critics.
This includes a man who reportedly served as Kinzinger’s co-pilot in Iraq, Jeff Surran, who the congressman said now works as an airline pilot. Kinzinger did not mention what airline Surran flies for, but the congressman’s post quickly prompted some users to say that Surran is employed by JetBlue.
“So we have a member on here who was partly responsible for the former President of the United States residence being stormed by the FBI today,” Surran posted in a private Facebook group that Kinzinger appears to be part of. “I say f*** that anti American POS. I wish I never met him or flew with him. He is a disgrace to this country and this group.”
Kinzinger posted a screenshot of the Facebook post, taken apparently seven minutes after Surran initially posted and before anyone had liked the post.
“This guy, Jeff Suran, was my copilot in Iraq and now an airline pilot,” Kinzinger tweeted. “He has allegiance to Trump over his oath to the constitution.”
This guy, Jeff Suran, was my copilot in Iraq and now an airline pilot. He has allegiance to Trump over his oath to the constitution. pic.twitter.com/pnQgkPTZsk
— Adam Kinzinger🇺🇦🇺🇸✌️ (@AdamKinzinger) August 9, 2022
Kinzinger’s Twitter post prompted some users to begin tweeting at JetBlue and criticize Surran for his opinions. However, others praised Surran, letting JetBlue know that they would make the airline “our first choice for air travel for hiring such great, patriotic, veteran pilots.”
Kinzinger did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire as to why he posted about Surran and whether the post was intended to impact Surran’s employment. Surran could not immediately be reached for comment.