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Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York has been charged for allegedly pulling a fire alarm on September 30 as the House of Representatives was preparing to vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Bowman claimed he pulled the fire alarm by mistake as he was rushing to the floor to attend the vote. When he was interviewed by the Capitol Police, he said the door was usually open. However, because it was locked, Bowman decided to pull the fire alarm, thinking it would unlock the door.
"[Bowman] advised that usually when votes are called, all doors are open, and that door is usually open (the second floor door leading to Independence Ave). The defendant further stated that this door was a usual door he uses. The defendant advised that he then went to a Dem (Democratic) meeting and a vote at the Capitol, then the House Sergeant at Arms contacted him," U.S. Capitol Police Supervisory Special Agent Joseph McAtee wrote in the warrant.
Bowman claimed that he did not intend for the fire alarm to go off and refused to answer any further questions without his lawyer present.
Bowman was charged with one misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm. He will be arraigned on Thursday (October 26).