A man accused of physically assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace (RS.C.) on the Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois, was charged Tuesday with assault on a government official after accusing Mace.
Two witnesses told Capitol Police that a man, about 40 years old, approached Mace, identified him only as the victim, and asked to shake his hand, according to a police affidavit. When Mace put out her hand, the man grabbed her hand with both hands and “swung her arm up and down in an exaggerated and aggressive handshake motion,” police said.
Police said witnesses found an internet post about the incident and provided Mace with the name and photo of the man he encountered. The man was later identified by witnesses as James McIntyre, and police said the suspect was a 33-year-old resident of Illinois.
Capitol Police arrest suspect suspected of assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace
Rep. Nancy Mace, R.S., speaks with reporters before a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the U.S. Capitol. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
When officers spoke with Mace after the encounter, Mace gave a similar explanation.
Mace told officers that when she offered the man her right hand for a handshake, the man clasped his hands around her and began shaking the woman's arm up and down in an “aggressive and exaggerated manner.” Ta.
Mace said she tried to pull away from the man but was unable to do so.
During the violent shakeup, the man said, “Transgender youth need to be defended,” Mace said.
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U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R.S.C.) arrives to attend the House Republican Caucus at the U.S. Capitol on November 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Mace told officers she was shocked by the situation and did not say anything to the man.
She also said she felt scared when she tried to pull away and felt pain in her wrist, arm, and shoulder after the encounter.
When asked if he wanted paramedics to respond, Mace said he refused.
After the incident, Mace turned to social media to let her followers know what had happened.
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“Tonight I was physically assaulted on Capitol grounds for fighting to protect women. Capitol Police arrested him,” Mace wrote in a post on X. “All the violence and threats continue to prove our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats.” We can't stop fighting for women! ”
On Wednesday, she continued writing about her encounter at X in a series of posts.
In one post, she said she had just gotten off a phone call with President-elect Trump.
“Thank you Mr. President for checking in on me and standing up for women,” Mace wrote. “I can't wait to have you back in the White House.”
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In another post, she shared a photo with her arm in a sling.
Mace's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request Wednesday for an update on the representative's condition.
A magistrate judge ordered Mr. McIntyre's release after his arraignment in the District of Columbia Superior Court.
Mace has been vocal in her opposition to transgender people using bathrooms not assigned to their biological sex.
She led a lawsuit against allowing Democratic Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware to use the women's restroom at the Capitol. McBride is biologically male, identifies as female, and describes herself as female.
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Mace said last month that she had received death threats, adding that she was being “unfairly targeted.”
Mr. Mace also authored a resolution, HR 1579, which would prohibit members, officers, and staff of the House of Representatives from using facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
