Former 9/11 FDNY Commissioner Denounces Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s “Outlandish” Conspiracy Theories

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a scathing critique, former FDNY Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, who served during the 9/11 terror attacks, has denounced New York  Rep. Jamaal Bowman for promoting outlandish conspiracy theories related to the 2001 attacks, as was reported by the New York Post.  Von Essen labeled the Democrat as “unfit” for office, expressing concern over Bowman’s controversial remarks that surfaced from a deleted blog.

Bowman, a member of the far left wing House “Squad,” which includes New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, came under scrutiny after it was revealed that he had entertained the possibility that the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center were an inside job. According to information provided in the Post report, the Daily Beast unearthed comments from a blog, which has since been deleted, where Bowman suggested that WTC building No. 7 was destroyed in a controlled demolition and questioned the extent of damage caused by hijacked Flight 93 and Flight 77.

Von Essen, who served as both FDNY Commissioner and the New York-NJ regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 outbreak, dismissed Bowman’s conspiracy theories. The Post reported that he remarked, “Bowman is definitely unfit to be in Congress. He’s definitely someone we don’t need.”

Speaking to the Post, Von Essen added that “Jamaal Bowman and George Santos should be in business together,” referring to the serial lying ex-congressman from Long Island who was booted from office last year.

“There are crazy people out there. There are people who said I planted explosives on the floors of the World Trade Center towers,” added Von Essen.

Bowman’s blog posts also included claims that Osama bin Laden was wrongly blamed for the attacks, and he allegedly promoted conspiracy theory movies such as “Loose Change” and “Zeitgeist.” The report in the Post said that “Loose Change” asserted that the US orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, while “Zeitgeist” suggested that globalist bankers were behind the tragedy as part of a scheme to influence the US to go to war and take on more debt.

Von Essen further criticized Bowman, a former Bronx middle school principal, for admitting to pulling a fire alarm before a budget vote in the House, even though there was no emergency. As was noted in the Post report, he argued that such actions demonstrated poor judgment and were dangerous. The fire alarm incident temporarily delayed a vote to avert a government shutdown.

9/11 health advocate John Feal joined the criticism, stating, “Bowman disrespected thousands killed that day and continue to die. He has no place in Congress,” according to the Post report.

Bowman, elected to the House in 2020, expressed regret for posting the conspiracy theories, attributing them to others. Despite the controversy, he was re-elected in 2022. However, Bowman now faces a serious Democratic primary challenge from Westchester County Executive George Latimer in the 16th Congressional District, covering southern Westchester and parts of The Bronx, the Post reported. As the primary election approaches, Bowman’s past statements and controversies have sparked intense scrutiny, raising questions about his fitness for office among constituents and fellow Democrats.