Bowman removed warning signs before pulling fire alarm: Video

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) can be seen on video removing warning signs from an emergency exit before pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building last month.

The footage of the incident from Sept. 30 shows Bowman pulling the signs off the door, pulling the fire alarm, and walking away. The New York Democrat was charged with a misdemeanor for the incident that prompted an evacuation of the building ahead of a pivotal vote on a stopgap measure to avert a government shutdown.

JAMAAL BOWMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO PULLING FIRE ALARM AND AGREES TO PAY FINE

Bowman had originally said on the day of the incident that he thought the fire alarm would open the door. The New York Democrat denied that he was trying to stall as Democrats were reading through a stopgap proposal spearheaded by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

The stopgap bill would ultimately pass with the support of most Democrats, and it would be used as rationale for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to file a motion to vacate against McCarthy, which succeeded.

Bowman was charged by the District of Columbia attorney general’s office on Wednesday for “willfully and knowingly” giving a “false alarm of a fire,” which is a violation of city code.

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The New York Democrat pleaded guilty to the charge on Thursday, and he was fined $1,000 for the misdemeanor.

“Listen, you know, I pulled the fire alarm, and I did not do it to disrupt a court proceeding, like I said. I was trying to get out the door. I was rushing to a vote,” Bowman told reporters outside the courthouse on Thursday. “I’m thankful that we have an agreement in place. I’m thankful in three months it’s going to be dismissed, and now, let’s move on.”