(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., secured a controversial plea deal following misdemeanor charges for pulling a fire alarm as Congress debated a government spending bill that averted a government shutdown.
The charges, laid by the Capitol Police, accused Bowman of triggering a false alarm during a government proceeding. A court filing concluded that there was “probable cause to believe that the defendant willfully or knowingly gave a false fire alarm within the District of Columbia.”
BREAKING: @greggutfeld BLASTS the federal govt for sending Doug Mackey to jail over a meme pic.twitter.com/95tIPiM7sm
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 25, 2023
Facing the prospect of six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000, Bowman entered a plea agreement with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, also a Democrat. The agreement promises the charges will be dropped in three months if Jamaal issues a public apology and pays the $1,000 fine.
“I am responsible for activating a fire alarm, I will be paying the fine issued, and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped,” Bowman asserted in response to the plea deal.
Two-Tiered Justice: On September 30, Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled a fire alarm to delay a vote in the US House.
House Republicans and Capitol Police promised investigations and accountability.
On October 12, Bowman laughed off the incident and refused to apologize when questioned… pic.twitter.com/4FhwQ68Qxe
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 20, 2023
Contrary to his initial defense, an affidavit filed by a Capitol Police investigator portrayed Bowman as potentially uncooperative, citing his delayed notification of law enforcement only after being contacted by the Sergeant at Arms.
According to the affidavit, Bowman claimed that he misread the sign as saying, “emergency exit only push to open.” However, the official sign reads, “Emergency Exit Only Push Until Alarm Sounds (3 Seconds) Door Will Unlock in 30 Seconds.”
Security footage unveiled Bowman’s leisurely departure after the alleged incident.
Several Republican lawmakers swiftly denounced the preferential treatment given to Bowman, drawing parallels to the handling of the January 6th Capitol protestors.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to Twitter on Wednesday to slam the deal. “Is Jamaal Bowman going to be thrown into the DC Gulag without bail? Will the FBI be raiding his home in the middle of the night? How many days in solitary confinement will he receive?” Greene said.
Is Jamaal Bowman going to be thrown into the DC Gulag without bail?
Will the FBI be raiding his home in the middle of the night?
How many days in solitary confinement will he receive? https://t.co/PFticMSpaU
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 25, 2023
Mollie Hemingway, the Federalist’s editor, mirrored Greene’s sentiments saying, “I bet J6 folks wish they could get the same gentle treatment afforded to insurrectionist Jamaal Bowman.
“Isn’t the justice system equal? No one is above the law.”@RepMTG says Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16) should face harsher consequences for pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill before a critical vote to avert a government shutdown. “He… pic.twitter.com/1S47MbQl12
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) October 25, 2023
