Republicans “Weaponize Any Opportunity They Can”: GOP Compares Democrat to Insurrectionists for Accidently Setting of Fire Alarm

Jo ShawNov 3, 2023

Minute Read

During a congressional session, while a vote on a bill to avert a government shutdown was underway, Jamaal Bowman inadvertently triggered a fire alarm in Cannon House, an office building connected to the Capitol through a tunnel. Despite his subsequent apology and explanation that it was an accident, some Republican constituents and lawmakers have drawn comparisons between Bowman and the “insurrectionists” involved in the January 6 riot.

House Was Voting on a Funding Bill

Just before the House was set to vote on a government funding bill, Representative Bowman activated the fire alarm, resulting in the evacuation of the building. Many Republicans have accused Bowman of attempting to delay the vote.

Bowman Was Trying to Open Door

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After the incident, the congressman explained that pulling the fire alarm had been unintentional. “I was trying to get to a door. I thought the alarm would open the door, and I pulled the fire alarm to open the door by accident,” Bowman said.

Did Not Intend to Cause Disruption

In an affidavit written by a USCP officer, Bowman mentioned that the door was a regular entry he typically utilizes and clarified that he did not intend to create a security issue or interfere with the congressional proceedings.

I Was Trying to Vote

At the time of the incident, Bowman said, “I was just trying to get to my vote, and the door that’s usually open wasn’t open. It was closed.”

Bowman Caught on Tape

In late September, video footage captured Bowman pulling the fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building.

Bowman Treated Like Everyone Else

The DC attorney general’s office issued a statement explaining that the Representative of New York’s 16th District had been “treated like anyone else who violates the law in the District of Columbia.”

DC Attorney Charged Bowman

“Based on the evidence presented by Capitol Police, we charged the only crime that we have jurisdiction to prosecute. He is pleading guilty and has agreed to pay the maximum fine,” concluded the statement.

Bowman Took Responsibility

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Jamaal Bowman responded, “I am responsible for activating a fire alarm. I will be paying the fine issued and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped.”

Thankful for Resolution

Bowman thanked the attorney’s office for their quick resolution on the issue and stated he was “grateful that the United States Capitol Police General Counsel’s office agreed I did not obstruct nor intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings.”

Bowman’s Excuse Did Not Pass Sniff Test.

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Concerning the incident, Bryan Steil, the Representative for Wisconsin, said, “Bowman’s excuse does not pass the sniff test,” he further stated that Bowman “fled the scene” and had not alerted his mistake to the Capitol Police.

McCarthy Compared Bowman to Rioters

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Bowman also faced backlash from Kevin McCarthy, the previous speaker of the House, and far-right Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who compared Bowman to the Jan 6th Capitol rioters.

How People Are Treated at the Capitol

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McCarthy said, “We watched how people have been treated if they’ve done something wrong in this Capitol. It would be interesting to see how he is treated and what he was trying to obstruct when it came to the American public.”

Republicans Are Crazy

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Bowman responded to the allegations, telling reporters, “…that’s crazy, immediately likening me to insurrectionists, what happened on Jan 6th.”

Republicans Weaponizing the Incident

He went on to add, “I mean, this is what they do. They weaponize any opportunity they can … so we don’t focus on their own dysfunction and destruction of their own party.”

Republicans Trying to Whitewash Attack on Capital

Ian Bassin, who previously worked for the White House Counsel, wrote on X, “I have no problem with an investigation into what reportedly was Rep. Bowman pulling a fire alarm, and with him facing appropriate accountability if it’s true.” He then added, “But if you’re focused on that while whitewashing a violent attack on the Capitol, you’re unfit for public office.”

Resolution to Censure Bowman

Rep. Lisa McClain wrote on her X account, “Capitol Police have concluded their investigation into Rep. Bowman and found his action of pulling the fire alarm in Cannon to be illegal. I am introducing a resolution to Censure Rep. Bowman and remove him from all Committee assignments for the remainder of the 118th Congress.”

Johnson Supported a Coup.

Dr Sam Yousaff posted, “Mike Johnson literally supported a COUP against our country in violation of section 3 of the 14th Amendment and is SPEAKER of the House. But Jamaal Bowman, who pulled a fire alarm while rushing to vote, gets indicted!”

The Law Applies to Democrats, Too.

Some people came out in support of Bowman. One user posted, “Gosh, looks like the law applies to Democrats. And swiftly too! Now charge those who tried to steal the election.” Another said, “Interesting how quickly he was charged but we just elected an insurrectionist as speaker. This country is so broken.”