New video footage posted on social media Thursday contradicts claims by Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York about why he pulled a fire alarm.
Bowman pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge stemming from a Sept. 30 incident where he pulled a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building. Bowman claimed in a statement released shortly after the incident that he was trying to open the door and got confused, but footage posted on Twitter by Spectrum News NY1 Washington Correspondent Kevin Frey shows Bowman taking down the emergency exit signs. (RELATED: ‘The Video Speaks For Itself’: GOP Rep Doesn’t Buy Bowman’s Explanation About Fire Alarm Incident)
“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,” Bowman said in the September statement. “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.”
WATCH:
Obtained by @NY1: Footage of Rep. Bowman pulling the fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Bldg on Sept. 30.
Bowman pleaded guilty this morning in court to “willfully or knowingly giving false fire alarm” in DC. pic.twitter.com/HaBBAaLQqI
— Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) October 26, 2023
The 30-second video posted by Frey shows Bowman removing signs from the door, pulling the fire alarm and walking away while holding the signs. Bowman did not appear to make any effort to open the doors in the video.
“I was trying to get out the door. I was rushing to a vote,” Bowman told reporters Thursday, according to ABC News. “I’m thankful that we have an agreement in place, and I’m thankful that in three months it’s going to be dismissed. And now let’s move on.”
Bowman’s office circulated talking points to fellow Democrats that described some Republican members of the House of Representatives as “Nazis” after receiving criticism for pulling the fire alarm
Republican Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain introduced a resolution to censure Bowman over the incident on Wednesday. The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust accused Bowman of violating ethics rules by pulling the alarm in a complaint filed Oct. 13 with the Office of Congressional Ethics.
Bowman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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