In a social media post dated October 1, 2023, at 11:40 AM EST, former President Donald Trump made a statement concerning Congressman Jamal Bowman. Trump alleged that Congressman Bowman had engaged in a highly disruptive and potentially criminal act during a Congressional vote in Washington, D.C. According to Trump’s post, Bowman had purportedly pulled and triggered the main fire alarm system in an attempt to halt the ongoing Congressional vote.
Trump’s post characterized Congressman Bowman’s alleged actions as egregious, nerve-wracking, and criminal. He claimed that there was visual evidence of this act, suggesting that it had been recorded. The former President went on to assert that this incident constituted a severe case of “Obstruction of an Official Proceeding,” comparing it to charges filed against individuals involved in the January 6th events at the U.S. Capitol, often referred to as the J-6 incident.
Will Congressman Jamal Bowman be prosecuted and imprisoned for very dangerously pulling and setting off the main fire alarm system in order to stop a Congressional vote that was going on in D.C. His egregious act is covered on tape, a horrible display of nerve and criminality. It was a very dangerous “Obstruction of an Official Proceeding,” the same as used against our J-6 prisoners. Actually, his act may have been worse. HE MUST SUFFER THEIR SAME FATE. WHEN WILL HIS TRIAL BEGIN??? (Donald Trump Truth Social Post 11:40 AM EST 10/01/23)
According to ESPN, on a Saturday morning, Congressman Jamaal Bowman found himself at the center of an incident in the Cannon House Office Building, just before the House was set to vote on a government funding bill. Initially labeled as an accident by the New York Democrat, the situation raised eyebrows and led to an investigation, as revealed by House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, a Republican from Wisconsin.
Steil expressed the need for greater transparency from Bowman regarding the incident, asserting that simply dismissing it as an accident wasn’t convincing. Steil suggested that if Bowman’s intent was to interfere with the House voting process by pulling the fire alarm, it could constitute a serious legal violation.
Bowman’s explanation for the incident was that he had pulled the fire alarm inadvertently, believing it would open a door. He clarified that he was attempting to reach a door to cast his vote, and when he encountered a closed door, he mistakenly pulled the fire alarm, thinking it would grant him access.
The incident came to light when security footage identified Bowman as the individual who had pulled the alarm. Leadership figures from both parties were informed of the situation.
After the House passed the funding stopgap measure, Bowman met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who reportedly adopted a supportive stance and understood that it was a mistake on Bowman’s part.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for an investigation by the House Ethics Committee into the incident, deeming it serious and stating that it should not go without consequences, given the timing of the alarm pull, just hours before a potential government shutdown.
