Man who allegedly attacked Rep. Nancy Mace released and ordered to stay away from her
Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested a person accused of assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., inside a congressional office building in Washington.
James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois, faces a charge of assault on a government official, according to Capitol Police. He pleaded not guilty to the charge during a video hearing Wednesday and was released on the condition that he stay at least 100 yards away from Mace and not communicate with her. The judge also ordered him to stay out of Washington.
The incident was reported shortly before 6 p.m. when McIntyre entered the Rayburn House office building on Capitol Hill, which was open to the public at the time.
According to court documents obtained by ABC News, McIntyre approached Mace to shake his hand. He “grabbed her hand with both hands and shook her arm up and down in an exaggerated and aggressive handshake motion,” according to a witness.
Rep. Nancy Mace speaks to reporters as she heads to a meeting of the House Republican caucus on Capitol Hill, November 19, 2024, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Mace, however, told police that McIntyre shook his hands up and down and his arm “was flailing for about 3 to 5 seconds.” She said she tried to pull her hand away, but was restrained by McIntyre who told her: “Trans youth deserve to be defended.” »
Mace told police she had pain in her wrists, arms and armpits/shoulders due to the incident, but refused to be treated by paramedics.
McIntyre is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Mass requested on X Tuesday evening that the incident stemmed from his stance on transgender rights.
Mace made headlines and faced protests over his proposal to ban transgender people from using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity on Capitol Hill.
“I was physically accosted at the Capitol this evening by a pro-tr*ns man,” Mace wrote. “A new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it will heal just fine,” she added.
In November, Mace introduced a measure banning transgender women from using the women’s biological bathroom at the U.S. Capitol.
Her announcement comes as Rep.-elect Sarah McBride prepares to take office as the first transgender person elected to Congress.
If Mace’s measure were to pass, its administration would fall under the jurisdiction of the Sergeant at Arms, who is the top law enforcement officer in the House of Representatives.
