New York Dem’s Capitol Hill fire alarm incident referred to feds for charges similar to Jan. 6 rioters
A conservative watchdog is referring Rep. Jamaal BOWMAN, D-NY, to criminal prosecution for pulling the fire alarm in a House of Representatives’ building during tense negotiations last weekend to avoid a shutdown of government.
The Heritage Foundation Oversight Project alleges that Bowman violated federal and local law just days after House Republicans announced their intention to rush a stopgap bill, also known as a continuing Resolution (CR), on Saturday. Some Democrats were caught off-guard and claimed that they did not have the time to thoroughly read it.
Heritage, in a letter exclusively reviewed by Fox News Digital claims Bowman’s list of possible criminal violations includes federal obstruction statute that has been used to prosecute alleged protesters who entered Capitol Jan. 6, 2020, and calls prison time up to five year.
“Rep. Bowman’s acts violated both federal and D.C. criminal laws. In recent years, the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigations used similar legal theories to investigate and prosecute people across the nation,” states the letter.
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The letter was sent to the U.S. Attorney-General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, as well as the leaders of both the U.S. Capitol Police Department and D.C. Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday.
The federal statute states that “whoever corruptly or by threats or violence, or through any threatening letters or communications influences, obstructs or impedes the due administration of law, under which a pending proceeding before any department or agencies of the United States is being held, or the proper exercise of power of inquiry, under which an inquiry or investigation by either House is being conducted, by any committee of either House, by any joint committee or committees of Congress, shall be fined, and imprisoned for not more than five
According to the D.C. codes that Heritage says Bowman broke, it is a misdemeanor for “any person or persons” to “willfully or knowingly” give a false fire alarm within the District of Columbia. Anyone who “corruptly or by threats of violence, in any way obstructs, impedes, or endeavors to hinder the proper administration of justice or any official proceeding,” could be sentenced to at least three years of prison.
Mike Howell of the Oversight Project scolded government agencies for “coming under significant scrutiny by the American public over the past few years due to politization and weaponization against their political opponents.”
Howell pointed out that Garland said in an interview on CBS “60 Minutes”, aired Oct. 1, “We don’t have a rule for Republicans, and a rule for Democrats.” We do not have a rule for enemies and another for our friends. “We have one rule: we must follow the facts, the law and make the decisions that are required by the Constitution. We also protect civil liberties.”
Howell wrote in his letter that “Director Wray, during a recent Congressional Hearing, denied a double-standard at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He said, ‘The notion that I am biased against conservatives, given my personal background, seems somewhat absurd to me.’
This case offers an opportunity to correct course. He concluded that the law should be applied equally, without regard to political parties.
Bowman has been investigated by Capitol Police for the incident, but he has defended his actions, claiming he was mistaken in trying to open an locked door.
Bowman, who spoke to reporters Monday outside his office, said: “You know I don’t understand why this is getting so much attention.” I was in a hurry to vote.
Bowman’s defence has been scrutinized since his office sent a memo to Democratic colleagues encouraging them to publicly defend him with suggested arguments, as Republicans continue to call for his expulsion from Congress.
The memo “Messaging Guidelines: Supporting Congressman Jamaal bowman After Accidental Fire Alarm” included a proposed talking point that targeted “Nazis” in the GOP.
Bowman’s memorandum states, “I trust Congressman Bowman that this was an accident.” “Republicans should focus their energies on the Nazis in their party, before anything else.”
Bowman went to X (formerly Twitter) to tell them he didn’t approve the memo, and it was “inappropriate” use of the term.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) unveiled a Resolution to Expel Bowman in response.
“This is the United States Congress.” Malliotakis told “Fox & Friends”, Monday, that it’s not a public high school in New York City.
“Jamaal Bowman, who was the high school principal, knows how to use an old fire alarm because he did it himself.” When he was a high school principal there were severe consequences for a student who did that, including expulsion.
Bowman’s supporters, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D.N.Y. (a fellow “Squad”) member, have defended him against expulsion calls.
In a recent interview, she stated that “They are filing a motion for expulsion of a member in a panicked moment was trying to escape from a vestibule.” Give me a break.”
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