The House Ethics Committee, tasked with upholding the integrity of the GOP-led House of Representatives, has chosen not to investigate Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) recent illegal conduct. Bowman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for falsely pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on September 30, 2023, just before an essential vote to prevent a government shutdown.

The incident, which Bowman admitted to as part of his plea agreement, violated the D.C. criminal code. Yet, despite the legal ramifications and Bowman’s conviction, the Ethics Committee will remain silent on the subject. This decision comes even though the House rules provide that an ethics investigation should be considered following the formal charge of a member for criminal conduct​​.  

Happy Thanksgiving to Jamaal Bowman: House Ethics Committee Declines to Investigate Fire Alarm Scandal ⁦@SpeakerJohnson⁩ ..,, DEAR Mr speaker … you might want to rethink this decision to NOT INVESTIGATE this moron! 💥💥💥💥💥💥👇👇👇 https://t.co/9H5g33kp1R

— karen mackean-Slaton (@karenmackean1) November 23, 2023

Bowman’s actions that day were deliberate, as security footage obtained by local reporters shows. Before triggering the alarm, he discarded emergency warning signs, ran down a staircase, and exited the building from a different floor. The video evidence contradicts his claim that he pulled the alarm to open emergency doors to vote​​. 

As part of the plea deal, Bowman agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and to write an apology letter to Capitol Police. If Bowman adheres to the terms of his probation for three months, the charge will be withdrawn​​.  

This episode is more than a mere lapse in judgment; it is a breach of trust and protocol. When a fire alarm is falsely triggered, it is not only an illegal act but also an act that disrupts the solemn and critical processes of governance.  

Moreover, noting the responsibility that comes with Bowman’s role as a former educator and current lawmaker is essential. Members of Congress are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and Americans deserve an explanation for the Ethics Committee’s inaction.

It’s a story of accountability not just for Rep. Bowman but for the Ethics Committee itself. In a time when the public’s trust in governmental institutions is wavering, the failure to investigate potential ethical violations only widens the chasm between elected officials and those they serve.