Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rushed to the defense of fellow Democrat Jamaal Bowman after he faced anger from conservatives for pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building to “delay the vote.”
AOC quickly called out Republicans, accusing them of “protecting” GOP Rep. George Santos, who is facing a 13-count federal indictment.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, the “Squad” member attempted to blame circumstances created by a vote to avert a pending government shutdown.
“I think there’s something to be said that 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…” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Host Jake Tapper jumped in, asking, “So he pulled the fire alarm?”
“What I’m here to say is that House administration and U.S. Capitol police and Jamaal Bowman are an active, and he’s fully participating in saying there was a misunderstanding,” AOC reponsed.
“But what I do think it’s important to raise is the fact that Republicans, representatives immediately moved to file motions to censure, motions to expel, before there has even been conversations that are finished to even see if there’s a misunderstanding here,’ she said.
“But what they did do, while day did that, what they did not do was commit to the same when George Santos was actually found guilty after a thorough investigation after 13 federal charges,” Ocasio-Cortez continued.
“He’s indicted on everything from wire fraud to actually lying of house investigators, and they have been buddying up and giggling with him on the House floor.”
AOC added:
“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!”
Watch
Even Jake Tapper thinks the Jamaal Bowman stunt and apology are rubbish.
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 1, 2023
AOC can't help but defend. This is what Democrats do best. They get in line, they never back down, and they defend their criminals and low IQ representatives to the bitter end. pic.twitter.com/t20p49oF4d
Bowman released a statement following the incident:
“I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door.”
Statement from Congressman Jamaal Bowman. pic.twitter.com/v6qjdHNI7T
— Congressman Jamaal Bowman (@RepBowman) October 1, 2023
On Sunday, Marjorie Taylor Greene called for Bowman to be prosecuted using the same laws to lock up Jan 6 defendants.
“Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the Cannon building this afternoon and interrupted the official proceedings of the House as Republicans worked to keep the government open,” Greene wrote on X.
“I’m calling on the DOJ to prosecute him using the same law they used to prosecute J6 defendants for interfering with an official proceeding.”
“The Democrats literally will do anything to shut OUR government down because billions aren’t going to their favorite country: Ukraine,” Greene added.
Watch
Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled the fire alarm in the Cannon building this afternoon and interrupted the official proceedings of the House as Republicans worked to keep the government open.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) September 30, 2023
I’m calling on the DOJ to prosecute him using the same law they used to prosecute J6… pic.twitter.com/KlXjwVrkc1
Donald Trump Jr also called for Bowman to face charges, writing on X:
“If they don’t charge Rep Bowman with a crime for endangering the lives of those in the capitol & obstructing congressional proceedings, then they better let every single J6er that’s rotting in prison for nonviolent offenses out with an apology & compensation right f***king now!”
If they don’t charge Rep Bowman, with a crime for endangering the lives of those in the capitol & obstructing congressional proceedings then they better let every single J6er that’s rotting in prison for nonviolent offenses out with an apology & compensation right fucking now! pic.twitter.com/Cpc2su2VJP
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 30, 2023
After Bowman was caught on camera pulling the fire alarm in the Cannon Building, he responded by saying:
“I thought the alarm would open the door,” Bowman told reporters about the incident.
“I was rushing to make a vote, I was trying to get to a door,” he said.
McCarthy called for an Ethics Committee investigation into Bowman’s actions should be conducted.
“I’m going to have a discussion with the Democratic Leader about it, but this should not go without punishment,” he said.
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