U.S. Capitol Police apprehended an individual who reportedly “physically accosted” Representative Nancy Mace on Tuesday, as stated by the South Carolina Republican in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. In her message, Mace emphasized her ongoing commitment to women’s safety, stating, “I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol police have arrested him. All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats will not stop my fight for women!” She also mentioned that her injuries were minor and would heal quickly with rest and ice.
According to Capitol Police, they received a report shortly after 6 p.m. regarding the incident in the Rayburn Office Building. Officers from the Threat Assessment Section quickly identified and arrested a suspect, who now faces charges for assaulting a government official. The arrested individual, identified as 33-year-old James McIntyre from Illinois, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of simple assault in D.C. Superior Court and was subsequently released under a “stay away” order.
Mace recounted that the suspect grasped her hands and aggressively shook her arm in a manner she deemed inappropriate during the encounter.
This incident comes on the heels of Mace’s recent legislative efforts aimed at banning transgender women from using women’s restrooms at the Capitol, following the historic election of Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware, who is the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress. Additionally, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, Mace has been vocal about demonstrating the GOP’s pro-women stance as her party seeks to maintain its support among female voters.
While this situation underscores the challenges faced by public figures in their advocacy, it also highlights the importance of discourse surrounding women’s rights and safety. As Rep. Mace continues her work, one can hope that these conversations foster an environment where all voices are heard and respected.
This article has been updated with the latest developments.