A criminal charge has been leveled against Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in connection with a fire alarm incident that took place on Sept. 30.
The New York lawmaker was charged with a violation of the District of Columbia Code by the D.C. attorney general following an investigation by Capitol Police.
U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) said on Oct. 3 that they were investigating the facts surrounding the activation of a fire alarm, which took place ahead of a House vote on government funding. It took place as House Democrats were attempting to postpone the vote during House proceedings.
An affidavit (pdf) in support of the arrest warrant for Mr. Bowman cites the alarm pull station that was activated, leading to the evacuation of the Cannon House Office building. The document pointed to security footage that showed Mr. Bowman approaching a set of doors, and after he attempted to exit, he then pulled the fire alarm and subsequently walked away from the exit doors.
This took place just after noon local time, and Mr. Bowman admitted to activating the alarm at the time, but denied intentionally doing so for the purpose of delaying the vote, saying that he mistakenly thought the pull-down trigger in the fire alarm box would open the door. He also said that he was in a panic to return to the floor for the vote.
Numerous New York Republicans have criticized Mr. Bowman’s actions in response to the incident, sparking a significant controversy.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) called for the lawmaker to be expelled, saying shortly after the incident, “This is the United States Congress, not a New York City high school and that this action warrants expulsion.”
Ms. Malliotakis also cited the irony of Mr. Bowman’s actions, pointing to his previous career in another social media post comment: “Of all people, a high school principal knows what a fire alarm does. No one is buying the excuses & he must be held accountable!”
Mr. Bowman’s office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’s request for comment.
From The Epoch Times
