Nancy Mace Attacked In Capitol Over Transgender Bill
Republican Representative Nancy Mace Attacked in Capitol Over Transgender Bathroom Bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican U.S. Representative Nancy Mace reported being physically attacked on Capitol grounds by an activist angered over her proposed bill restricting bathroom access for the first openly transgender member of Congress.
The Capitol Police confirmed the arrest of the alleged attacker following the incident on Tuesday evening.
“I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol Police have arrested him,” Mace wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe.”
Authorities identified the suspect as James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois. He was apprehended in the Rayburn House Office Building and charged with assaulting a government official, according to a police statement.
While officials did not provide details about the altercation or a specific motive, they noted that McIntyre had undergone standard security screening before entering the congressional buildings.
The incident comes amid heated debates surrounding transgender rights and representation in Congress.
Democrat Sarah McBride, elected in November as the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has previously stated her willingness to comply with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s directives on bathroom use.
However, she characterized such discussions as distractions from more pressing national issues.
Mace’s bill, which has sparked both support and controversy, aims to regulate bathroom access in the Capitol. The attack underscores the charged political climate surrounding this legislation.
Capitol Police have not released additional information about McIntyre or whether he has ties to advocacy groups. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.