On Wednesday, a person accused of accosting a U.S. Representative in a Capitol Office building entered a plea of not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. The incident involved an encounter between the accused, a 33-year-old individual from Chicago, and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican.
According to witnesses and a police affidavit, the accused allegedly approached Mace in an exaggerated and aggressive manner, shaking her hand forcefully. Mace, who later shared details of the incident on social media, described the encounter as a physical accosting. She expressed gratitude for a call from President-elect Donald Trump, who inquired about her well-being following the incident.
Despite experiencing pain and soreness, Mace declined medical treatment from paramedics at the scene. The accused, identified as James McIntyre, was subsequently arrested by Capitol Police and charged with assault.
During the encounter, McIntyre reportedly made a statement regarding advocacy for transgender youth while shaking Mace's hand. This incident comes in the context of Mace's recent proposal of a resolution aimed at restricting the use of single-sex facilities by lawmakers and House employees based on their biological sex.
Following an arraignment in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, McIntyre was released under the order of a magistrate judge. Legal representation for McIntyre was not immediately available for comment.
The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in the Capitol Office building.
