Man accused of assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace released from jail

WASHINGTON - James McIntyre, a 33-year-old Illinois resident, has been released from jail after being charged with assaulting U.S. Representative Nancy Mace at the Capitol. 

McIntyre, who pleaded not guilty to the charge Wednesday, is accused of attacking the South Carolina congresswoman inside the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening.

A judge has ordered McIntyre to stay away from Rep. Mace, refrain from possessing firearms, and only be in the District of Columbia for court-related matters.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly before 6 p.m. when Rep. Mace’s office alerted Capitol Police of the alleged assault. Officers located McIntyre quickly, then arrested and charged him with assaulting a government official. 

Rep. Mace, who recently sponsored an anti-trans bathroom bill for the Capitol, claimed on X that a "pro-trans" man had attacked her. 

"I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man," Mace wrote. "One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm, and it’ll heal just fine. The Capitol Police arrested the guy."

She further stated, "Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO."

However, three witnesses at the scene provided a different account. They told "The Imprint" that McIntyre merely shook Rep. Mace's hand at a House reception and asked her to support the rights of transgender people. 

One witness told "The Hill," "James [McIntyre] met her by the door where people could see her and him to say, ‘trans youth are in foster care and they need your support,’ and gave a handshake and then walked back to his seat and sat down," describing it as a "pretty normal interaction."

The Rayburn House Office Building was open to the public at the time, and authorities confirmed that McIntyre had passed through standard security screening before entering.

Rep. Mace has continued to post about the incident on X, expressing gratitude to former President Trump for checking in on her and emphasizing the need to "stop making excuses for assaults on women."