House Republicans are demanding the Capitol Police release the all security footage of Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building.
After the scandal erupted last Saturday, Capitol Police released a single photo showing the moment Bowman activated the fire alarm, seemingly disproving his claim that he was attempting to open a door to exit the building.
But House Republicans say more evidence needs to be released to know fully what happened. That request was submitted to Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger on Wednesday in the form of a letter from four House Republicans: Reps. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).
“In the the spirit of transparency, we ask that the security footage of the incident be released in its entirety,” the lawmakers wrote.
“One photograph is not enough to determine the severity of this situation,” they added. “American people deserve to know the extent of Congressman Bowman’s conduct.”
The lawmakers allege that Bowman may have broken two crimes: one District of Columbia statute and one federal statute.
The D.C. statute — DC §22-1319(a) — states, “It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to wilfully or knowingly give a false alarm of fire within the District of Columbia.”
The federal statute — 18 US Code §15051505 — states:
Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which any pending proceeding is being had before any department or agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress—Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years.
The lawmakers requested that the full security footage be made available by Oct. 6.
The Capitol Police last provided an update on the fire alarm scandal on Monday, saying the agency “continues to investigate the facts and circumstances” surrounding the incident.
Interestingly, the statement failed to identify Bowman as the person who activated the alarm, referring to the Democratic congressman as simply “a man.”
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