“Squad” Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York pleaded guilty in DC Superior Court to charges that he illegally pulled the fire alarm in the House office building.
DC Assistant Attorney General Peter Saba criminally charged Bowman with a misdemeanor for causing a false fire alarm at the Cannon House Office Building before the Sept. 30 vote.
Bowman, 47, surrendered Thursday morning before his arraignment, wearing a navy suit, striped shirt, blue tie and carrying a gray backpack. He pleaded guilty to causing a false alarm.
JAMAAL BOWMAN CHARGED CRIMINALLY IN CAPITOL HILL FIRE ALARM INCIDENT
![Bowman taking the fire alarm](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/09/1200/675/IMG_0569-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
“Squad” Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York appeared in DC Superior Court for his arraignment on charges that he illegally pulled the fire alarm in the House office building. (US Capitol Police)
The New York Democrat told reporters before the arraignment that he “takes responsibility” for causing the false alarm and that “Hell no” he did not intentionally pull the alarm.
“What I did was against DC law,” Bowman said. “As I said from the beginning, I’m not trying to disrupt any congressional proceedings, I’m glad that resulted in an investigation.”
Bowman pulled the fire alarm ahead of a key vote as the GOP pushed through a critical stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.
![Rep. Bowman walks in a suit](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/09/1200/675/GettyImages-1257895133.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Bowman pulled the fire alarm ahead of a key vote as the GOP pushed through a critical stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Bowman got a plea deal: write a letter of apology to the US Capitol Police and pay a $1,000 fine.
DC Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones told Bowman he could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if he doesn’t write the letter of apology.
Bowman’s office told Fox News Digital that the congressman’s deal with the DC attorney general is that the charges will be dropped if he writes the letter and pays the fine.
“I am grateful for the swift 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 that I did not obstruct or intend to obstruct any vote or proceeding of Chamber,” Bowman told Fox Balita Digital. “I was responsible for activating the fire alarm, I will pay the fine issued, and expect these charges to eventually be dropped.”
“I think we all know that the Republicans are going to try to use this to distract everyone from their mess, but I hope to put this behind me and continue trying to deliver for New Yorkers,” he continued.
Bowman will have a review hearing on January 29, 2024 at 9:30 am
Bowman said Wednesday that he was “grateful for the quick resolution” by law enforcement. The DC attorney general’s office said to the press on Wednesday that Bowman “pleaded guilty and agreed to pay the maximum fine.”
“I was responsible for activating the fire alarm, I will pay the fine that was issued, and expect these charges to eventually be dropped,” Bowman said.
An arrest warrant filed by US Capitol Police Supervisory Special Agent Joseph McAtee said police were notified on September 30 at 12:05 a.m. that a fire alarm had been pulled inside the Cannon House Office Building on the second floor.
![Rep. Jamaal Bowman](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/10/1200/675/JAMAAL-BOWMAN-CAPITOL-HILL.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
When Bowman was interviewed by Capitol Police agents, he told them he answered “yes” when asked if he knew anything about the fire alarm. The Democratic representative said he was in a hurry because the votes were called, adding that the door is usually open. ((Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for The Recording Academy))
When Bowman was interviewed by Capitol Police agents, he told them he answered “yes” when asked if he knew anything about the fire alarm. The Democratic representative said he was in a hurry because the votes were called, adding that the door is usually open.
Bowman, according to the arrest warrant, told agents he saw nearby doors with a sign that said, “emergency exit only push to open,” so he “pushed the door open and pulled the lever next to it, that should be the alarm.”
“[Bowman] be advised that usually when the votes are called, all doors are open, and that door is usually open (the second floor door to Independence Ave). The defendant further stated that this door was a normal door that he used. The defendant advised that he then went to a Dem (Democratic) meeting and a vote at the Capitol, after which he was contacted by the House Sergeant at Arms,” the warrant stated.
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Bowman told the agent that he did not intend to pull the fire alarm and that he did not intend to disturb or obstruct a continuation of the congressthen said he had to get a lawyer and would not make any further statements.
The agent wrote in the arrest warrant that a sign next to the door said “Emergency Exit Only,” adding that the fire alarm had letters that read, “FIRE. Push in Pull Down.” Security camera footage reviewed by Capitol Police revealed Bowman allegedly attempted to open both doors before pulling the fire alarm, then leaving.
Adam Sabes, Jake Gibson, and Aubrie Spady of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.