Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) was questioned by reporters outside the Capitol after Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pleaded guilty to falsely pulling a fire alarm, disrupting a vote on the House Floor.
According to ABC News, Rep. Bowman will have to pay the “maximum fine of $1,000” and write a letter of apology to Capitol Police. He will also serve three months’ probation.
When asked about this, Rep. Donalds laughed at the seemingly juvenile slap on the wrist punishment.
“Well, look, because that’s a matter of ethics, I’m going to leave it in ethics, I’m going to leave that to Speaker Johnson. I’m not going to comment on it. What was it? A misdemeanor? He has to pay a fine? Is that what happened?” said Rep. Donalds.
The reporter questioning Donalds then informed him that he has to write a letter to the Capitol Police as well.
The Florida congressman responded, “What, are we in seventh grade?” The reporter answered, “That’s what the judge ordered.”
Donalds answered, “Let me get something straight: January 6th was a terrible day. It was terrible. I was here, I was on the House Floor. There were people who did things that I think they should not have done. I’ve said that from day one. There were also other people, when the doors were open, right, wrong, or indifferent, they walked into the building. They were given what? Two years, three years, four years? And my colleague has to write a letter?”
He concluded, “This is one of the problems overall. I’m going to leave that to ethics, and I’m going to leave it to the Speaker.”
Reps. Donalds and Bowman have been somewhat of political rivals in their time in the U.S. Congress.
Addressing reporters off the floor of the House of Representatives in July, Rep. Bowman expressed his belief that the Republican Party was filled with hate and “white supremacy.”
When asked about whether he believed Rep. Donalds was racist, Rep. Bowman all but said that Rep. Donalds was not the right kind of black man.
The Floridian: So, you are saying that the Republican Party, as a whole, is racist, including Byron Donalds, one of your colleagues?
Rep. Bowman: Yeah. I mean, you know, every brotha ain't a brotha, you know, I'm saying and so, you know, that's just the way that goes.
Bowman continued mocking Republicans, adding that the group was looking for token black men.
“They're starving for black people to be a part of their party to give them cover to show that they're not racist. But look at their policies. Look at their rhetoric. Look at this far-right Supreme Court. Look at their history,” said Bowman.
Shortly after Bowman made his remark about Donalds, The Floridian spoke to Donalds, who is considered to be one of President Donald Trump's potential vice-presidential picks, dismissed Bowman’s remark about him by calling it “stupid.”
“That stuff is stupid. That’s a lie, not even close,” said Donalds. “My black card is just fine.”
