The U.S. Capitol Police arrested a man on Tuesday evening for allegedly assaulting Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina. The incident happened just before 6 p.m. inside the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
According to Capitol Police, the situation was reported by Mace’s office, and officers from the House Division, along with agents from the Threat Assessment Section, quickly got involved. They located the suspect, James McIntyre, a 33-year-old from Illinois, who was accused of physically attacking the congresswoman.
After conducting an investigative interview, police arrested McIntyre. He now faces charges for assaulting a government official.
At the time of the incident, the Rayburn House Office Building was open to the public. Like everyone entering the building, McIntyre had passed through security screening before being allowed inside.
Following the assault, Representative Mace took to social media to share her experience. She described being “physically accosted” because of her efforts to advocate for women’s safety.
“All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats will not stop my fight for women!” she wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
This unsettling event highlights the challenges and risks faced by public officials, especially those working to bring attention to sensitive issues. Mace’s determination to continue her advocacy despite this incident underscores her commitment to her cause.