On December 12, 2024, Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace was attacked in the Capitol building by a man identified as 33-year-old James McIntyre from Illinois. The incident took place on Tuesday evening, and the Capitol Police have since arrested the suspect.
The U.S. Capitol Police responded to a report from Mace’s office at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the agency. The statement confirmed the arrest of McIntyre for the assault on Congresswoman Mace at the Rayburn House Office Building.
The Capitol Police emphasized that McIntyre had passed security screening before entering the Capitol building. McIntyre is facing misdemeanor charges for assaulting a government official, although the final decision on charges rests with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Following the attack, Mace took to social media to share her account of the incident, stating, “I was assaulted tonight in the Capitol building by a man who supports transgender issues.” She reassured her followers that her injuries were minor and easily recoverable, vowing that “violence and threats only make me work harder.”
Mace has been vocal about her opposition to transgender individuals using restrooms not corresponding to their biological sex. She notably opposed allowing Delaware’s Democratic Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House, to use the women’s restroom in the Capitol.
Moreover, Mace introduced House Resolution 1579, which aims to prohibit House members, officers, and employees from using facilities that do not align with their biological sex.
Last month, Mace revealed that she had received death threats due to her stance on the issue. The incident highlights the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding transgender rights and bathroom usage in public facilities in the United States.