Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) allegedly pulled a fire alarm in the United States Capitol complex moments before the House was scheduled to vote on a bill preventing a government shutdown, according to the House Administration Committee.
U.S. Capitol Police and the House Administration Committee, which oversees House operations and Capitol security, are investigating.
Rep Jamaal Bowman pulled a fire alarm in Cannon this morning. An investigation into why it was pulled is underway. – Chairman Bryan Steil
— House Admin. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) September 30, 2023
A photo being circulated by Capitol Police appears to show Bowman pulling the fire alarm, as reported by Punchbowl News.
🚨🚨NEW — Capitol Police are circulating this photo of a man pulling the fire alarm in Cannon. Looks a lot like Jamaal Bowman pic.twitter.com/khzpigSvWI
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) September 30, 2023
Falsely reporting a fire is a misdemeanor crime in the District of Columbia punishable by a fine or up to six months’ imprisonment.
Jamaal Bowman reportedly pulled the fire alarm to further delay the CR vote
That’s legitimately a crime pic.twitter.com/foxURHXZ91
— John Hasson (@SonofHas) September 30, 2023
A spokesperson for Bowman released the following statement claiming that Bowman “did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote.”
NEW: Bowman spox Emma Simon on him pulling the fire alarm.
“Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote. The Congressman regrets any confusion.”
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) September 30, 2023
Bowman claims he “thought the alarm would open the door.”
Bowman tells reporters “I thought the alarm would open the door.”
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) September 30, 2023
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) gave a long filibuster speech minutes later as Democrats attempted to delay the vote on a 45-day extension of government funding. The bill eventually passed by a large margin after the incident.
Rep. Jim Banks is among those calling for Bowman’s arrest, tweeting the possibility that Bowman’s actions could be part of a conspiracy among Democrats.
Arrest him! And find out if other Dems pushed him to do it. https://t.co/xQOaRAXqq4
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) September 30, 2023
Many of the defendants from Jan. 6 were charged for similar conduct, as pointed out by the mainstream media and Donald Trump Jr., who called for Bowman’s immediate arrest.
Isn’t that what Jan 6 defendants did? Obstructed official proceedings?
Send him to jail for a few years like they would to anyone who isn’t a democrat!McCarthy should order Capitol police to arrest him right now! Let’s play by their rules! https://t.co/qzT15nNd9M
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 30, 2023
Breitbart News will continue tracking this developing story.
Follow Bradley Jaye on Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.
