Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) was charged for pulling a fire alarm in the U.S. Capitol Building during voting to stop a government shutdown last month.
Bowman is required to appear in court on Thursday morning, according to court documents.
Bowman charged with misdemeanor for pulling Capitol fire alarm https://t.co/UXd13zjnbV pic.twitter.com/r759EtAmgR
— The Hill (@thehill) October 26, 2023
"The New York congressman said that he pulled the alarm by mistake in an attempt to exit the building and quickly make his way to the House floor to vote," the Hill reported.
"Republicans accused him of attempting to make a distraction to delay the vote, which he denied," it added.
NEW: Rep. Jamaal Bowman has been criminally charged with a misdemeanor in connection with pulling a fire alarm in a congressional building on Capitol Hill last month. https://t.co/Kb2fWX5pLp
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 25, 2023
The House Democrat "indicated Wednesday that he will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge for pulling a fire alarm in a congressional building on Capitol Hill last month," according to NBC News.
"Bowman has agreed to pay the maximum fine of $1,000 for one misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. He will also provide a formal apology to Capitol Police," it added.
Bowman charged with misdemeanor for pulling Capitol fire alarm https://t.co/gTU4lLWZiq
— WKRN News 2 (@WKRN) October 26, 2023
“Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door. I regret this and sincerely apologize for any confusion this caused,” he said in a previous statement.
“But I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay any vote. It was the exact opposite — I was trying urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did, and joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to keep our government open," he continued.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) previously said he planned to launch an investigation into Bowman's action. Other Republicans also spoke out on the matter, with some calling on him to resign.
Former President Donald Trump also spoke out on the situation, calling for Bowman to be "imprisoned" over the pulled fire alarm.
Bowman's guilty plea in court will appear to end the matter as the Democrat seeks to move forward after the embarrassing incident.
