Top Republican lawmakers accuse Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) of breaking the same legislation that other January 6 defendants were found guilty of breaking, and he is currently the subject of an inquiry after setting off a fire alarm in a Capitol office building on Saturday.
The House Cannon office building was evacuated after Bowman set off the fire alarm in an attempt to prevent House Democrats from voting on a GOP stopgap budget plan.
In a statement, Bowman’s chief of staff acknowledged that his boss had set off the fire alarm, saying, “Congressman Bowman was hurrying to make an urgent vote and did not realize he would trigger a building alarm.” Congressman apologizes for any misunderstanding.
In a photo published by the US Capitol Police, Bowman can be seen setting off the fire alarm next to a door. The former principal of a school, Bowman, asserted: “I assumed the alarm would open the door.”
However, the incident caused a significant outcry from well-known Republicans who requested that he face criminal charges for his conduct and likened them to those of some of the people who were detained in connection with the disturbance on January 6.
“If they don’t charge Rep. Bowman for endangering the lives of people in the capitol & obstructing official proceedings then they better let all J6er that’s rotting in prison for nonviolent offenses out.
Co-founder of Punchbowl News John Bresnahan shared a picture of the door where Bowman activated the fire alarm, demonstrating that a red sign with the words “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY” was visible when Bowman pushed the trigger.
An extra picture revealed that the only item mounted on the wall that could be turned on without a maintenance key was the fire alarm.
“Today, we would have been helping constituents before a potential government shuts down, BUT Bowman pulled the fire alarm to delay the CR,” Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) wrote on X. GET RID OF THE CONGRESSMAN!
“How come there are no consequences when Representative Jamal Bowman (D-NY) sounds a fire alarm during a vote, clearly “interfering with a legislative proceeding”?” To Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), I requested. However, demonstrators who traveled to Washington on January 6th from all over the nation are currently facing lengthy prison sentences for not doing much! #EquitableJustice
Both the Capitol Police and the Committee on House Administration declared that they had launched independent inquiries into the event.
“This is a crime, straight up,” Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) stated in her letter. It was necessary for USCP to expend resources on investigation instead of ensuring the safety of the Capitol. Rep. Bowman needs to be held responsible by the House. Right now.
“Charges should be filed if true,” stated Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC). Setting off a false fire alarm jeopardizes the wellbeing and safety of federal workers. What a careless and immature action.
