Rep. Jamaal Bowman's (D., N.Y.) office came up with a list of talking points after the lawmaker faced investigation for pulling a congressional office building fire alarm on Saturday, with one line suggesting Bowman's defenders deflect by calling Republicans "Nazis."
In an email to other House Democrats, Bowman's team gave "suggested talking points" for the situation, Politico reported. "Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else," one talking point in the email guidance read.
Bowman has faced calls for his expulsion since Saturday, when he was caught on camera pulling a fire alarm in a congressional office building just before the House voted on a funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. Bowman claimed he pulled the alarm in confusion, thinking it would open an emergency exit door.
"Today, as I was rushing to make a vote, I came to a door that is usually open for votes but today would not open," Bowman said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I am embarrassed to admit that I activated the fire alarm, mistakenly thinking it would open the door."
The door, however, was covered in signs that say "Emergency Exit Only," and the fire alarm was marked "FIRE."
Bowman on Monday disavowed his office's reference to Nazis in the email after it was reported by Politico, claiming he had no knowledge of its inclusion.
"I just became aware that in our messaging guidance, there was inappropriate use of the term Nazi without my consent," Bowman said on X. "I condemn the use of the term Nazi out of its precise definition. It is important to specify the term Nazi to refer to members of the Nazi party & neo-Nazis."
Bowman's allies, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), have defended Bowman for pulling the alarm, and some members of the media have made excuses for the lawmaker, making the case that it was a misunderstanding.