Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) has turned himself in to the police on misdemeanor charges for deliberately activating a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building in order to buy more time while in negotiations during last month’s near government shutdown.
As reported by Breitbart News, ahead of a midnight deadline to pass the measure that would prevent a government shutdown, Bowman removed warning signs and proceeded to activate the fire alarm, leading to a full-scale law enforcement and emergency response. The building was evacuated for around one and a half hours, as documented in court filings.
This action not only caused a delay in the bill’s passage but also consumed valuable resources, including the time and efforts of law enforcement and emergency services.
In response to Bowman’s activation of the alarm, his digital director, Emma Simon, provided an absurd explanation, stating, “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.”
Later, Bowman informed reporters, “I was just trying to get to my vote the door that’s usually open wasn’t open… I didn’t mean to cause confusion. I didn’t know it was going to trip the whole building. I thought it would help me open the door.”
Exclusive video obtained by Fox News captures the “Squad” member carrying a backpack while chatting with an officer. This interaction occurred shortly after he confirmed his intention to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of falsely triggering a fire alarm. He has also agreed to pay the maximum fine of $1,000 and write a formal apology to the Capitol Police personnel responsible for the Cannon House Office Building, where the incident took place. Although this charge carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, it is highly improbable that the New York Democrat will face incarceration.
Watch:
Jamaal Bowman just turned himself in to police. pic.twitter.com/FF4nJxPAti
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 26, 2023
“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 in a statement Wednesday.
Gabriel Shoglow-Rubenstein, a spokesman for Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, confirmed Bowman “is pleading guilty and has agreed to pay the maximum fine.”
According to NBC News, Rep. Bowman’s office stated that all charges would be dismissed in three months following his guilty plea, payment of the fine, and submission of a written apology.
Boman is essentially getting away with a slap on the wrist: a fine and eventual charge dismissal in three months. This differs significantly from the sentences imposed on Trump supporters who peacefully entered the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Many of those individuals are serving lengthy sentences in federal prison, despite not committing any violent acts.
Is Jamaal Bowman going to be thrown into the DC Gulag without bail?
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 25, 2023
Will the FBI be raiding his home in the middle of the night?
How many days in solitary confinement will he receive? https://t.co/PFticMSpaU
