Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is under investigation after pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol office building on Saturday as top Republican lawmakers accuse him of violating the same law that many January 6 defendants were convicted of violating.
Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the House Cannon office building as House Democrats were trying to delay a vote on a GOP stopgap spending bill, which sparked an evacuation of the building.
Bowman’s chief of staff confirmed that Bowman was the one who pulled the fire alarm and claimed: “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.”
U.S. Capitol Police released a photograph showing Bowman pulling the fire alarm near a door. Bowman, who is a former school principal, claimed: “I thought the alarm would open the door.”
The incident, however, sparked serious backlash from prominent Republicans who demanded that he be criminally charged for his actions and compared his actions to the actions of some of those who were arrested for their participation during the January 6 riot.
Donald Trump Jr. posted the photo released by Capitol Police, writing: “If they don’t charge Rep Bowman, with a crime for endangering the lives of those in the capitol & obstructing congressional proceedings then they better let every single J6er that’s rotting in prison for nonviolent offenses out with an apology & compensation right f***ing now!”
If they don’t charge Rep Bowman, with a crime for endangering the lives of those in the capitol & obstructing congressional proceedings then they better let every single J6er that’s rotting in prison for nonviolent offenses out with an apology & compensation right fucking now! pic.twitter.com/Cpc2su2VJP
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 30, 2023
Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan posted a photo of the door where Bowman pulled the fire alarm which shows that a red sign that reads “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY” was present at the time that Bowman pulled the lever.
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This is the door that @RepBowman used to leave the Cannon Building pic.twitter.com/OiUVB0iyJ4
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) September 30, 2023
An additional photo showed that the fire alarm was the only thing fixed to the wall that could be activated that did not require a maintenance key.
This doesn’t really seem that confusing pic.twitter.com/EXM5VOWJAp
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) September 30, 2023
Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) posted on X: “Today, we would’ve been working from our office in Cannon, helping constituents before a potential government shuts down, BUT Congressman Jamal Bowman pulled the fire alarm to delay the CR. EXPEL THE CONGRESSMAN!”
“How is it that Rep. Jamal Bowman (D-NY) can pull a fire alarm during a vote, which is clearly ‘interfering with a legislative proceeding,’ and there be no ramifications?” asked Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT). “Yet, protestors from across the country who came to Washington on January 6th are serving hard time in prison for doing less! #EqualJustice?”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) wrote: “A Democrat Member of Congress just committed a felony by pulling the fire alarm to try to delay and stop a Congressional vote to fund the government.”
The Committee on House Administration and the Capitol Police both announced that they had opened separate investigations into the incident.
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
USCP says they’re investigating the Bowman fire alarm incident pic.twitter.com/d2YXVDXwtN
— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) September 30, 2023
“This is a felony, plain and simple,” wrote Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI). “USCP had to waste resources investigating rather than actually keeping the Capitol safe. The House must hold Rep. Bowman accountable. Now.”
Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) wrote: “If true, charges should be filed. Pulling a false fire alarm puts the safety and welfare of federal employees at risk. What a childish and reckless move.”