Nancy Mace’s Account of ‘Pro-Trans’ Assault Challenged by Eyewitnesses

At least three witnesses have disputed South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace’s claims that she was assaulted by a “pro-trans” advocate Tuesday after a Capitol Hill event.

Mace claimed in an X post that she was ”physically accosted” by a “pro-trans man” after she gave a speech to youth advocates celebrating the 25th anniversary of Foster Care Independence Act. The man in question was award-winning youth advocate James McIntyre, 33, a leading policymaker and activist for children in Illinois.

Mace added on X, “One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it’ll heal just fine.”

However, some event attendees pushed back on Mace’s version of events and said they simply saw a handshake, reported The Imprint.

Mace reportedly called the police on McIntyre after he apparently shook her hand and asked her to protect trans youth. According to one youth advocate, McIntyre was approached by a member of Mace’s team, asked his name and for him to repeat what he said to Mace. Soon after, an officer with the Capitol Police Department showed up and said he was responding to an “assault.”

McIntyre was then arrested in front of some of the event’s attendees and driven off.

“I want to express deep disappointment in the fact that Congresswoman Nancy Mace came to a national foster youth event, told participating youth that it was a safe space — and literally had one of them arrested by Capital police for simply shaking her hand and asking about trans rights,” said veteran advocate for foster youth Lisa Dickson of Ohio, in a Facebook post.

Elliott Hinkle, a former foster youth and advocate for LGBTQ rights, added that McIntyre shook Mace’s hand and said transgender youth in foster care “need your support.” Hinkle said McIntyre’s arrest “sends a chilling effect.”

“You’re not actually safe to go to the Capitol Hill and share an opinion that is true for you, that isn’t violent — because right now if you do, a congressperson might say that they were physically assaulted and call the police on you,” said Hinkle. “So how would a young person in care feel safe?”

Adding to Mace’s version of events was her claim that President-elect Donald Trump had called to check up on her.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for checking in on me and for standing up for women. We cannot wait to see you back in the White House,” she wrote on X.

In recent months, Mace has seemingly used anti-trans attacks to stir favor with right-leaning Republicans, introducing a bathroom bill that she said “directly” targets Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress.