(LibertySons.org) – The United States Capitol Police evacuated the Cannon House Office Building after the emergency fire alarm went off. Rep. Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) admitted to triggering the alarm after security cameras caught him in the act. He claims he did it in a panic while trying to get through a locked door, stating he thought the alarm would unlock it. Republicans don’t believe his claims — and they want him to answer for possible obstruction.
The event occurred on Saturday, September 30, as members of the House were preparing to vote on the government funding bill. Bowman claims he was trying to get to the Capitol building on time, and an exit that was usually accessible had been locked. He activated the alarm at 12:05 p.m., allegedly in an attempt to override the lock. An image The New York Post provided of the door in question shows it’s actually an emergency exit, which the lawmaker shouldn’t have been using regardless of whether it was open for use.
Some Republicans are calling Bowman out on what they say was an attempt to delay the vote. The Associated Press reports that Democrats wanted more time to read the 71-page bill that the Right released nearly last minute before the deadline. The government was under threat of shutdown if the House didn’t agree to funding legislation.
Former President Donald Trump wants Bowman arrested for trying to obstruct an official government proceeding, claiming the representative’s offense may even be worse than that of many J6 prisoners. Rep. Marjorie Taylor echoed his comments, adding that someone who was once a school principal should know better. A Fox News panel agreed that Bowman was either dumb, too lazy to find another door, or attempting to delay the vote.
The District of Columbia states that anyone found to have set off a fire alarm without due cause is guilty of a misdemeanor, with the minimum sentencing including a fine of up to $100 and possible jail time. The defendant’s motivations for committing the crime and any possible injuries that result from it can add significant time and additional fines to the sentence. The New York Post adds that the punishment for obstruction of an official government proceeding also includes fines as well as up to 20 years in prison.
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