On Saturday, as the spending bills needed to prevent a government shutdown were being debated and voted on, U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pulled a fire alarm, causing a building-wide alarm to go off.
Some Republicans are demanding that Bowman be prosecuted for 1512(c)(2) “obstruction of an official proceeding” on the basis that he corruptly acted to “obstruct[], influence[], or impede[]” an “official proceeding.” (Over 300 January 6 defendants have been charged with this felony.)
First, Bowman’s chief of staff gave an explanation: “Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote. The Congressman regrets any confusion,” she tweeted.
“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. I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door,” Bowman later reportedly said.
It has been pointed out that with Bowman’s years as a teacher and school principal — during which he must have participated in dozens of fire drills — he might have been expected to know what happens when you pull a fire alarm.