South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace was assaulted on Capitol grounds, sparking a heated debate over transgender rights and safety.
At a Glance
- Rep. Nancy Mace was physically accosted by James McIntyre, who was advocating for transgender rights
- McIntyre was arrested and charged with assaulting a government official, but pleaded not guilty
- Witnesses contradict Mace’s account, describing the interaction as a normal handshake
- The incident follows Mace’s proposal of a bill to ban House members from using facilities not corresponding to their biological sex
- Mace claims to have received threats from the “radical left” and remains firm on her stance
Alleged Assault on Capitol Grounds
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, has reported being physically accosted on Capitol grounds. The incident, which occurred during an event celebrating foster care legislation, has ignited a fierce debate over transgender rights and safety in public spaces. Mace claims that James McIntyre, a 33-year-old from Illinois, grabbed and shook her arm while expressing support for transgender youth rights.
“I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol police have arrested him,” Rep. Nancy Mace said.
Following the assault, Mace took to social media to express her alarm over the incident and extend gratitude for the support she received from her constituency and President-elect Trump. The Capitol Police were promptly notified, leading to the event’s shutdown and McIntyre’s arrest.
Conflicting Accounts and Legal Proceedings
Despite Mace’s claims of being physically accosted, some eyewitness accounts paint a different picture. Some attendees at the event described the interaction as a normal handshake, contradicting Mace’s version of events. McIntyre, who was charged with the misdemeanor of assaulting a government official, has pleaded not guilty.
“Trans youth deserve advocacy,” James McIntyre said.
Following his initial court appearance in the District of Columbia Superior Court, McIntyre was released by a magistrate judge. The judge ordered McIntyre to stay away from Mace and refrain from possessing firearms. Mace’s spokesperson dismissed the eyewitness accounts as media bias and activism, insisting on the validity of the Representative’s claims.
Broader Context: Transgender Rights and Safety
This incident occurs against the backdrop of Mace’s recent proposal of a bill to ban House members from using facilities not corresponding to their biological sex. The bill, H.R. 1579, has garnered support from some Republicans but faces criticism from Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Women shouldn’t be threatened OR accosted for speaking up for our rights,” Nancy Mace said.
