‘Keep Proving Our Point’: Nancy Mace Speaks Out After Alleged Assault At Congressional Office Building

Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace spoke out Tuesday after she was allegedly assaulted by a male transgender activist at a congressional office building near the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. Capitol police officers arrested James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois after allegedly attacking Mace inside the Rayburn House Office Building. Mace sparked intense backlash from pro-transgender activists after introducing legislation to ban biological men from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol complex, a proposal Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson adopted by issuing a House-wide policy to that effect.

“I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol police have arrested him,” Mace wrote on Twitter. “All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats will not stop my fight for women!”

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!#HoldTheLine

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) December 11, 2024

Yes, I was physically accosted tonight. More to come…#HoldTheLine

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024

Authorities charged McIntyre with assaulting a government official after officers from the House Division located and interviewed him, according to Fox 5 DC. He reportedly passed through standard security screening before entering the building and making his way to the Republican congresswoman.

McIntyre works as the senior director of Governmental Relations and Volunteer Recruitment at CASA of Cook County, according to the suspect’s apparent LinkedIn profile, which displays “He/Him” pronouns. His biography claims he was abused by his foster family as a child and later sexual assaulted as he bounced from one living situation to another.

This is the man who allegedly assaulted Rep. Nancy Mace at the Capitol.

His LinkedIn profile displays “He/Him” pronouns. He claims to have been abused as a child and later sexually assaulted as he bounced from one living situation to another. https://t.co/8DgZkmDgBG pic.twitter.com/91PEWhkyst

— Julianna Frieman (@JuliannaFrieman) December 11, 2024

Mace claimed the attack injured her wrist and required her to ice her arm. She said the alleged incident emboldened her further. (RELATED: Trans Activists Take Over Women’s Bathroom On Capitol Hill)

I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it’ll heal just fine.

The Capitol police arrested the guy.

Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO. #HoldTheLine

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024

“Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO”, she wrote.

Free speech should be free. And no one should be assaulted for their beliefs or their bills.#HoldTheLine

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024

U.S. Capitol Police confirmed McIntyre’s arrest and charges to the Daily Caller but said they were “not sure” about the suspect’s occupation or motive.

“Last night, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested a person who is accused of assaulting a U.S. Representative,” U.S. Capitol Police wrote in a statement to the Daily Caller. “Just before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, the Member of Congress’ office reported an incident in the Rayburn House Office Building.  House Division officers, and agents with the Threat Assessment Section, tracked down the suspect. After an investigative interview, officers arrested the suspect, 33-year-old James McIntyre of Illinois. McIntyre is facing a charge for Assaulting a Government Official (18 USC 111).”

“The Rayburn House Office Building was open to the public at the time of the incident. McIntyre went through security screening prior to entering the Congressional buildings,” the statement continues. 

Free speech should be free. And no one should be assaulted for their beliefs or their bills.#HoldTheLine

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024

“Free speech should be free. And no one should be assaulted for their beliefs or their bills,” Mace added.

The debate over the U.S. Capitol’s bathroom policy follows the election of Sarah McBride, the first ever representative to identify as transgender, to the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

Editor’s note: Updated to clarify that the incident occurred at a congressional office building.