The Democratic Mayor of Denver was caught violating his own COVID travel ordinance, getting on a plane to see family just 30 minutes after decreeing that people should not travel to visit their own relatives.

“Pass the potatoes, not COVID,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock tweeted Wednesday, adding “Stay home as much as you can, especially if you’re sick. Host virtual gatherings instead of in-person dinners.”

“Avoid travel, if you can,” the tweet also stated, continuing “Order your holiday meal from a local eatery. Shop online with a small business for Black Friday.” 

Pass the potatoes, not COVID.

🏘️Stay home as much as you can, especially if you're sick.
💻Host virtual gatherings instead of in-person dinners.
❌Avoid travel, if you can.
🍲Order your holiday meal from a local eatery.
🎁Shop online with a small business for #BlackFriday. pic.twitter.com/acQpWs2Ism

— Michael B. Hancock 😷 (@MayorHancock) November 25, 2020

Half an hour after the tweet was sent out, Hancock was spotted boarding a flight to Houston.

Video (US only):

Mirror from Twitter:

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock gave you the bird for Thanksgiving. If he doesn't want to lead, then he shouldn't. A @nexton9news commentary: pic.twitter.com/kWo0sFngem

— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) November 26, 2020

After he was caught, Hancock’s office released a statement attempting to downplay the Mayor’s actions:

The damage was done, however:

"I decided it would be safer for me to travel to see them than to have two family members travel back to Denver"

How can you be a leader & not get how wrong this is? This is the selfishness that keeps us in this mess & it's an insult to everyone sacrificing for the greater good. https://t.co/oUk7Eknpwd

— Seth Haber (@treklightgear) November 26, 2020

I don’t usually jump in when people are apologizing to say “not good enough” but this is a typical “I’m sorry you feel that way.” He’s not sorry he did it, he’s sorry he got caught. https://t.co/oEcIygCVi8

— MirriamZary 🇦🇫 (@mirriam71) November 26, 2020

So you want special treatment for *your* family but everyone else is supposed to sacrifice time with theirs. https://t.co/H4m5mOHVeB

— Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) November 26, 2020

Congress should pass a law that if any gov't official violates their own COVID rules those rules get immediately invalidated.

Additionally any citizen who got fined for not following an order should be refunded.

RT if you want those who implement the "rules" to follow them! https://t.co/BKs4ur6tnA

— Adriana Cohen (@AdrianaCohen16) November 25, 2020

This has got to be one of the lamest, worst, poor excuses of a statement any politician caught with his hand in the cookie jar has ever issued. https://t.co/oUoYcDrDu8

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) November 26, 2020

Every small business in Denver that’s been closed should fully reopen right now and say their decision to was made of their heart, not their head. https://t.co/zsMyFnYQzQ

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) November 26, 2020

Part 5,792 of “Rules for thee but not for me” https://t.co/VufpsCVKzP

— Logan Ratick (@Logan_Ratick) November 26, 2020

Sorry, no forgiveness here @MayorHancock. No amount of rationalization on your part excuses you're hypocrisy. If you were truly sorry you'd rent a car and come home. But I doubt you have the cojones to do that. Your apology rings hollow. https://t.co/2xwLC2r2qt

— Michael D. Brown (@MichaelBrownUSA) November 26, 2020

Everyone who has ever been married knows the difference between “I’m sorry.” And “I’m sorry you’re upset.” https://t.co/L6e1jGSXKY

— Kelly Maher (@okmaher) November 26, 2020

What an entitled pompous ass. Just prior to his flight he tweeted that people should avoid travel. https://t.co/8O2jZxKBjX

— Alexandra Halaby (@iskandrah) November 25, 2020

Democrats impose insane #COVID19 rules.

Expect regular Americans to obey without question.

Then don’t follow the rules themselves. https://t.co/d0ej0nYVVQ

— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) November 25, 2020

The mayor of Denver is traveling to Mississippi to visit his daughter after urging everyone not to travel for Thanksgiving. This thread boils down to, "I said we all need to sacrifice, but by 'we' I meant 'you'." https://t.co/9NAls2rY1p

— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 26, 2020

The incident adds to the growing list of Democrats who have been caught breaking their own decrees on covid:

And Newsom, Pelosi, Cuomo … hypocrisy from politicians who claim to trust the science isn't helping to strengthen dire public health messages /pleas from medical professionals and frontline workers.
Just infuriating. https://t.co/haNs3QVnU7

— Jackie Kucinich (@JFKucinich) November 25, 2020

Gavin Newsom wants us suicidal in our bedroom praying to have a familial thanksgiving meal, while the California Governor is caught openly and overtly ignoring his own rules.