Capitol Police Announce Criminal Charges Against Jamaal Bowman for Pulling Fire Alarm

It’s easy to forget about other ongoing issues because of the recent events, including the Hamas terror attacks on Israeli civilians and the House Speaker vacancy that was filled by House Republicans Wednesday.

The Capitol Police investigated the strange actions of Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) on September 30th. At the time, House Democrats were trying to avoid voting on the continuing resolution meant to prevent a shutdown by avoiding a vote.

The Capitol Police circulated the photo below, Bowman’s office, and Bowman confirmed that it was him at the time.

Bowman laughed off the incident as him being “confused”, and claimed he was rushing to the floor to vote. However, according to a source, Bowman had actually been seen pulling down the clearly marked emergency escape signs.

Bowman, his Democratic colleagues, including House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffreys, have all insisted that Bowman’s actions are innocent and not malicious. However, Capitol Police has come to the opposite conclusion and filed a misdemeanor charge against him. They claim he “willingly and knowingly gave false fire alarm.”

NBC News Congressional Reporter Frank Thorp posted the information in a thread on Twitter.

According to court documents @dnlbrns and I, Rep Jamaal Bowman were criminally charged for falsely pulling an alarm in the Cannon Office Building on September 30th.

CAPITOL POLICY: “We completed our investigation.” Our agents collected all the evidence and packaged it, then sent the case to the prosecutors with the charges.

Capitol Police has said that their case is over and they have presented an arrest warrant to the Attorney General for 22DC1319A, False Fire Alarm.

According to @dnlbrns the maximum punishment for the charge brought against Rep Bowman is six months of jail. He was ordered to appear at DC Superior Court tomorrow, at 9:30 a.m., for his arraignment.

The “affidavit supporting an arrest warrant” seems to indicate that Bowman was given multiple chances to inform the Capitol Police of the false alarm but did not. The Capitol Police conclude that there is “probable reason” to support the conclusion that Bowman gave a false alarm in the District of Columbia.

There was no fire in the Cannon House Office Building located at 25 Independence Avenue SE, District of Columbia, at 12:04 p.m. on September 30, 2023. This affiant, based on the evidence, has probable cause to suspect that the defendant intentionally or knowingly issued a false alarm in the District of Columbia (in violation of D.C. Code SS 22-1319).

Many Twitter users were disappointed by the lack of severity in the charges.

Bowman appears to think that, in the grand scheme of things, this was a relatively easy case. He told reporters that, “I am grateful that the United States Capitol Police’s General Counsel’s Office agreed that I did not intend to obstruct or obstruct any House votes or proceedings,” and that “I look[forward] to these charges ultimately being dropped.”

The House Ethics Committee has been urged to act, even if the man does not end up in jail.

This story is still developing. We will keep you informed of any new developments.