The overselling of flights was justifiable during times when most tickets were refundable. The scale of overselling in the US now is simply unjustifiable in a climate in which the majority of tickets sold are non-refundable and the passenger loses the value of the ticket. There are many examples, and this sounds like one, where the airline finds an "excuse" to deny boarding, which avoids paying compensation on the grounds of misconduct of the passenger. You might try complaining to the DOT, but unless you have witnesses that your conduct was not disorderly you may well lose in that forum too.
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