In a development that has sparked significant political debate, released security footage shows another angle of Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pulling a fire alarm in a House office building.
This footage became public on Thursday, after Bowman agreed to a plea deal to settle misdemeanor charges for the incident. The video, captured on September 30, reveals Bowman trying to open two doors in the Cannon House Office Building. He then pulls the fire alarm and walks away, still holding a red alarm sign from one of the doors.
The timing of this event was critical. Bowman’s actions took place while the House of Representatives was in the midst of debating and voting on a crucial stopgap funding bill. The aim of this bill was to provide temporary funding to the federal government to prevent a shutdown. Some allege he pulled the alarm on purpose to disrupt the vote.
When asked about the incident, Bowman was emphatic that he didn’t intend to pull the alarm. Speaking to reporters outside the D.C. Superior Court.
“Hell no” he didn’t mean to do it, Bowman said.
“What I did was against D.C. law,” Bowman continued. “As I said from the very beginning, I was not trying to disrupt any congressional proceedings, I’m glad the investigation yielded that.”
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However, these explanations and the timing of the release of the new video haven’t satisfied his critics.
Within days of Bowman pulling the fire alarm, GOP Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene produced a video demonstrating how easy it is to actually exit the building without resorting to pulling a fire alarm.
Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida argued that the video evidence shows what lawyers would term as “intent.”
Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce questioned why the footage was released only after Bowman’s plea deal was finalized, calling it “outrageous.”
Taking criticism to another level, former GOP Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker accused Bowman of being a “bold-faced liar.” He tweeted that this wasn’t just an accident but a “premeditated attempt to stop other Members of Congress from voting.”
Bowman, who is 47 years old, voluntarily appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday morning. During his arraignment, he pleaded guilty to causing a false alarm.
As part of his plea agreement, he is required to write an apology letter to the U.S. Capitol Police and to pay a $1,000 fine. As of now, Bowman’s office has not responded to requests for comment.
This incident is far from trivial, as it casts a spotlight on the ongoing polarization and mistrust dividing American political life.
The timing and context in which this event occurred—during a critical vote to prevent a government shutdown—amplifies the gravity of the situation. There is little to trust in Washington.