In a bizarre twist of events, there may be serious problems with South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace with respect to her recent claim that she was assaulted by a pro-trans advocate, James McIntyre, after a speech near the Capitol. It is worthy of attention given the fact that any assaults is intolerable in any context. But this allegation apparently needs to be considered in the light of who brought the complaint and whether it might have been promoted due to politics
The Imprint brings us the basics:
A former foster youth and award-winning advocate for children was arrested at the U.S. Capitol tonight — a bizarre twist in an otherwise celebratory day of events — after South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace accused him of assault. The incident took place outside a House of Representatives office building following an event honoring the anniversary of a landmark child welfare law where Mace, a firebrand Republican, had given a speech.
And herewith, the problems:
Three witnesses at the scene told The Imprint their accused colleague James McIntyre had done nothing more than shake the congress member’s hand at the House reception, and asked her to protect the rights of transgender people. An officer with the Capitol Police Department told a reporter present at the scene that they were responding to a call about an “assault.” McIntyre was then placed into a police van and driven off.
Shaking hands? And three witnesses isn’t “nothing” – that would seem to be something that needs investigation prior to any arrest. Over and above that they worked with the foster advocate on issues, it is unlikely that they would flat out lie about the incident. If Mace accused someone over a handshake, even if “firm” – that would be a crime, and needs further investigation.
This is also made even more ironic given the fact that Mace was once one of the more reliable pro-LGBTQ Republican voices in Congress. Indeed, she was even primaried over the issue (And presumably others) in 2022: Regarding LGBTQ rights, Mace said:
“I have friends and family that identify as LGBTQ. Understanding how they feel and how they’ve been treated is important,” she continued. “Having been around gay, lesbian, and transgender people has informed my opinion over my lifetime.”
As happens all too often it looks like a combination of politics – the Project 2025, Donald Trump’s nomination, and pure hard cash turned Mace into the most visible anti-trans role in the upcoming Congress:
Mace was later the target of attack ads from the conservative American Principles PAC during her 2022 primary, who accused her of supporting “men in girls’ locker rooms, female prisons, and even women’s shelters,” incorrectly referring to transgender women as men. American Principles PAC contributed financially to Mace’s 2024 campaign.
She had also said that she didn’t want governments in people’s bedrooms or boardrooms. The quote conveys the right sentiment (Back then) even though trans-rights issues aren’t about “bedrooms” so much as being about medical treatment for gender dysphoria as endorsed by the The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – it would seem like medical science is the real issue here, not “the bedroom.”
So one wonders whether any “attack” occurred, or whether this is more Mace trying to make headlines – as she did in proposing the bathroom rule at the Capitol. She has certainly politicized the matter to the maximum – with others blaming the entire LGBTQ movement.
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
And that set off other anti-LGBTQ rights voices to back her up with respect to the assault. Again, the assault – to the extent it occurred, is not something subject to political persuasion. It is wrong to get physical in any political context. It is also wrong, however, to use any one incident as symbolic or inherent to any group linked to an individual event. Here, one sees a prominent Republican voice generalizing the matter – if it occurred.
Nancy Mace is an LGBT ally and friend of Log Cabin Republicans. We strongly condemn this horrific assault in the Capitol and are glad she is OK.
The radical LGBT Left's false, fear-mongering rhetoric around these issues is getting dangerously out-of-control.
Knock it off. https://t.co/rgD2AiAjmj
— Log Cabin Republicans (@LogCabinGOP) December 11, 2024
So there is that. If James McIntyre assaulted Mace, then he should absolutely face the fall out. But this is going to require real investigation into whether he did or did not cross a line. Three witnesses would normally be more than enough to put the matter into question. It will be interesting to see if Mace’s arm is wrapped or in any way show injury. It wouldn’t be definitive but really ought to be investigated. Perhaps the three witnesses actually will be definitive.
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and on X at @JasonMiciak and now on Bluesky.
guilty before innocent rules now
Insanity seems to be right there, too.
Maybe he saw the Trump ‘handshake’ with Macron, assumed that was the new maga standard and just caught her out?