DC Attorney General Charges Dem Rep Who Pulled Fire Alarm

Democratic New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman was charged with a misdemeanor Wednesday for pulling the fire alarm prior to a House vote.

Bowman pulled the fire alarm in a House office building before a vote late September on a temporary funding package to prevent a government shutdown. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb charged Bowman with a violationof the D.C. code over the incident on Wednesday.

There is “probable cause to believe that the defendant willfully or knowingly gave a false fire alarm within the District of Columbia,” Bowman’s arrest report states.

Bowman said after the incident that he thought pulling the alarm would open the door.

“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 after the incident. “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.”

Bowman’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday morning, according to Politico.