Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leaped to the defense of fellow New York lawmaker Jamaal Bowman on Sunday after he pulled a fire alarm on Capitol Hill — claiming he acted out of “panic” to open a door as Democrats were trying to stall a vote on the government funding bill.
“I think if you actually do see some of the photos of the signs, I think there’s something to be said about, the government’s about to shut down, there’s a vote clock that’s going down, the exits that are normally open in that building were suddenly closed,” the Bronx and Queens lawmaker said while speaking to CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Host Jake Tapper then asked, “So he pulled the fire alarm?”
Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) responded that Bowman apologized for the incident — which was caught on camera — and insisted the far-left lawmaker was cooperating with officials’ investigation.
The “Squad” member later took aim at Republicans for being quick to demand Bowman’s expulsion over what she deemed an honest mistake — and blasted her GOP colleagues for not pushing harder for the ouster of indicted Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
“They are protecting someone who has lied to the American people, lied to the United States House of Representatives, lied to congressional investigators, but they’re filing a motion to expel a member who, in a moment of panic, was trying to escape a vestibule? Give me a break,” Ocasio-Cortez told Tapper.
“He himself admits he’s embarrassed. He released a statement last night, he apologized,” she added.
Bowman has maintained that he pulled the alarm handle because he thought it would open the door — which Democrats claim was usually unlocked and had confusing signage.
“I was rushing to make a vote, I was trying to get through a door. I thought the alarm would open the door,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to cause confusion … I didn’t know it was going to trip the whole building.”
He also added: “I want to be very clear, this was not me, in any way, trying to delay the vote. It was the exact opposite — I was trying urgently to get to a vote, which I ultimately did.”
Bowman said he “met with the sergeant at arms and the Capitol Police” and explained his side of the story, adding: “My hope is that no one will make more of this than what it was.”
However, images show the alarm Bowman pulled is clearly marked with the word “FIRE” — and is located next to two signs that provide explicit details on how to open the emergency door at the Cannon House Office Building.
“Emergency Exit Only!” the signs read. “Push until alarm sounds (3 seconds). Door will unlock in 30 seconds.”
“This is not confusing at all,” wrote former Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s a push bar on the door below the sign. Members of Congress see these signs all the time and know exactly what they mean.
“I can’t even imagine thinking it has something to do with a fire alarm pull on the wall,” Amash added. “Stop excusing his recklessness.”
AOC also said Sunday she “absolutely” intends to back a motion to topple House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
“I think Kevin McCarthy is a very weak speaker. He clearly has lost control of his caucus,” she said.
“I certainly don’t think that we would expect to see that unless there’s a real conversation between the Republican and Democratic caucuses,” she added. “I don’t think we [will] give up votes for free.”
