Rep. Jamaal Bowman Is Set To Plead Guilty To A Misdemeanor For Allegedly Pulling A Fire Alarm In A Capitol Building

Rep. Jamaal Bowman Is Set To Plead Guilty To A Misdemeanor For Allegedly Pulling A Fire Alarm In A Capitol Building. Under a plea deal, he will pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation before the false fire alarm allegation is dropped.

On Sept. 30, the alert prompted a House office building evacuation for almost an hour. In a haste to vote, the New York senator pulled the alarm but regretted trying to access an unexpectedly closed door.

Even Bowman supported the spending measure, which was passed by mainly Republicans and Democrats.

“I’m sorry I caused so much confusion and evacuation, and I simply made a commotion. I detest it. Bowman told reporters following his plea hearing that it was unpleasant.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., was accused of pulling a fire alarm at a House facility before a crucial vote last month to avoid a government shutdown.

Bowman was charged with fraudulently pulling a fire alarm Wednesday afternoon and will be arraigned Thursday morning.

The Cannon House Office Building’s second-floor fire alarm was pulled on Sept. 30 at 12:05 p.m., according to an arrest warrant issued by U.S. Capitol Police Supervisory Special Agent Joseph McAtee.

Capitol Police agents interrogated Bowman, who said “yes” when asked about the fire alarm. The Democratic lawmaker claimed he was rushing because votes were called, adding that the entrance is typically open.

The arrest warrant said that Bowman spotted adjacent doors with a sign reading “emergency exit only push to open,” so “he pushed on the door and pulled the lever next to it, which must have been the alarm.”

The second-floor entrance to Independence Ave is normally open when votes are called, according to Bowman. The defendant said that this was his normal door. In the warrant, the defendant said he attended a Democratic meeting and Capitol vote before the House Sergeant at Arms called him.

Bowman informed the agent he didn’t mean to pull a fire alarm or disturb a congressional hearing, then said he needed a lawyer and wouldn’t speak more.

A sign next to the entrance said “Emergency Exit Only,” and the fire alarm read “FIRE,” according to the arrest warrant. Engage Pull Down.” Capitol Police found security camera video showing Bowman trying to open both doors before triggering the fire alarm and leaving.

After being charged, Bowman told Fox News he’s “happy for the quick resolution,” acknowledging a plea deal.

Bowman’s plea deal includes a $1,000 fine and “stay out of trouble for three months.”

“A judgment error. … Not a deliberate choice to do harm “stated.

Bowman’s chief of staff wrote on X that “Congressman Bowman did not expect he would activate a building alarm while hurrying to vote. The Congressman apologizes for misunderstanding.”

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