Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, shared an interaction he had with a flight attendant who criticized members of his party for their response during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress.
The flight attendant, identified as Jim Barrett, confronted Khanna at an airport in Chicago, expressing disappointment over Democrats who remained seated while 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel was honored during the speech.
“Sir, I am a Democrat but the way the party behaved was embarrassing. Made us look heartless. I don’t care who is up there, you stand for the boy with cancer,” Barrett reportedly told Khanna. “Be more rational and get your act together.”
Jim Barrett, a flight attendant, politely chased me down at Chicago Airport. “Sir, I am a Democrat but the way the party behaved was embarrassing. Made us look heartless. I don’t care who is up there, you stand for the boy with cancer. Be more rational & get your act together.”
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) March 6, 2025
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Khanna recounted the exchange on X, stating that he responded by acknowledging that some Democrats did stand and applaud for Daniel.
“I replied that a few of us did stand and clap and we must be the party that still believes in kindness, decency, and trying to bring people together,” Khanna wrote.
I replied that a few of us did stand and clap and we must be the party that still believes in kindness, decency, and trying to bring people together.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) March 6, 2025
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Daniel was a focal point of Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night. The 13-year-old, who has battled brain cancer since 2018, was introduced by the president and sworn in as an honorary member of the U.S. Secret Service.
“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police,” Trump told the audience. “His name is DJ Daniel [and he] is 13 years old, and he has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. But in 2018, D.J. was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago.”
13-year-old D.J. Daniel was diagnosed with brain cancer and given five months to live — and that was six years ago.
Since then, D.J. and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true — and tonight, President Trump made him an honorary member of the Secret Service. pic.twitter.com/9FuDCUIfos
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 5, 2025
Daniel received a standing ovation from a majority of the attendees, though cameras captured several Democrats remaining seated at different moments as Trump spoke about the boy.
The response drew criticism from both political figures and the public.
Last night when Pres Trump recognized this incredible young man, who has cancer, many of the Democrats shamefully did NOT clap and not one of them stood up.
The Democrats did not cheer for anything good or even for America.
The Democrat party is dead. https://t.co/y7TzonoC90
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) March 5, 2025
Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat from New York, also voiced her frustration over the lack of support shown by some of her colleagues.
Speaking with News12 Long Island, she described her disappointment at witnessing fellow Democrats refuse to stand for Daniel.
“Quite frankly, there were moments where I feel like anger at some of the actions that have happened over the past month-and-a-half prevented some of my colleagues from being able to stand up to support the little DJ Daniel,” Gillen said.
“I stood up and applauded this little boy, who is getting over cancer, wants to be a police officer — and I was disappointed that I was not joined by any of my colleagues,” she added.
Daniel’s story has captured national attention, with his resilience and dedication to law enforcement earning him honorary recognition from multiple police departments across the country.
His moment in Congress, marked by applause and recognition from President Trump, has reignited discussions about political divisions and basic displays of respect, particularly when honoring individuals who have faced significant hardships.
The reaction of some Democrats during the address has sparked debate within their own ranks, as figures like Khanna and Gillen openly acknowledge the negative optics of refusing to stand for a child who has defied the odds.
Whether their criticism will lead to further discussions within the Democratic Party remains to be seen.
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