OAN’s Abril Elfi
3:52 PM – Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Democrat Representative Jamaal Bowman has been charged with a misdemeanor after pulling the fire alarm minutes before a House vote.
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Bowman (D-N.Y.) is now charged with falsely activating a fire alarm at a congressional office building before a vote with the House of Representatives on a stopgap budget plan to finance the government.
After being charged, the Democrat released a statement saying that he was responsible, has now pleaded guilty, and will be paying the fine issued.
“I’m thankful for the quick resolution from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office on this issue and grateful that the United States Capitol Police General Counsel’s office agreed I did not obstruct nor intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings. I am responsible for activating a fire alarm, I will be paying the fine issued, and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped,” Bowman said. “I think we all know that Republicans will attempt to use this to distract everyone from their mess, but I look forward to putting this behind me and to continue working hard to deliver for New Yorkers.”
According to court documents, Bowman pulled the fire alarm on September 30th in the Cannon House office building.
Security camera footage shows Bowman looking at the doors that read “Emergency Exit Only Push Until Alarm Sounds,” then, as he notices that the doors are locked, he gazes at the fire alarm and pulls it.
According to the lawsuit, after pulling down the fire alarm, Bowman strolled by Capitol police officers without saying anything or alerting them that he was the individual who pulled the alarm.
Bowman then entered the Capitol again four minutes after pulling the alarm. Soon after, he admitted to pulling the alarm but claimed that the incident was an “innocent mistake.”
“I was rushing to make a vote,” Bowman said. “I didn’t know it would trigger the whole building.”
Bowman is reportedly scheduled to be arraigned in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
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By: OAN
