New York Congressman Charged with Pulling Capitol Fire Alarm Ahead of House Vote Last Month

Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York was not found to have obstructed justice and plans to pay the fine for his error

New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman has been charged by the Washington, D.C. attorney general with triggering a fire alarm in a House office building when there was not an emergency. The 47-year-old lawmaker made headlines last month when he was caught on security tape pulling a fire alarm in the House building as lawmakers voted on a government funding bill.

Bowman, a Democrat, pleaded guilty on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Superior Court, where he was booked, fingerprinted and processed on one misdemeanor charge.

In a statement issued on Sep. 30 — the day Bowman pulled the fire alarm — he said he had done it mistakenly, thinking he was pulling the handle of a door.

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"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 the statement.

Bowman added that the move was not an intentional means of delaying the vote, saying in the statement, "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."

"I also met after the vote with the Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police, at their request, and explained what had happened. My hope is that no one will make more of this than it was," he added.

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Bowman will be required to abide by the conditions of a deal struck with the DC attorney general’s office — including three months of probation, providing a formal apology to U.S. Capitol Police, and paying a $1,000 fine — in order for the misdemeanor charge to be dropped.

“I’m thankful for the quick resolution from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office on this issue and grateful that the United States Capitol Police General Counsel’s office agreed I did not obstruct nor intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings,” Bowman wrote in a statement released Wednesday. “I am responsible for activating a fire alarm, I will be paying the fine issued, and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped.”

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