The U.S. Capitol Police have arrested 33-year-old James McIntyre for an alleged assault on Rep. Nancy Mace on Tuesday night in the Rayburn Office Building, according to the department.
Capitol Police, in a statement, said they responded to an incident reported by a member’s office just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday. McIntyre is facing a misdemeanor charge for assaulting a government official, according to the department, though charging decisions are ultimately up to the U.S. attorney’s office.
The department added that “McIntyre went through security screening prior to entering the Congressional buildings.”
“I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man,” Mace (R-S.C.) said in a statement posted to X. “One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it’ll heal just fine.”
Mace has been outspoken in opposing transgender women using women’s bathrooms on Capitol Hill, a move which comes before the House welcomes its first openly transgender member, incoming Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.).
The South Carolina Republican sent out a fundraising message following the alleged assault, writing “after last night, it is clear that I CANNOT STOP the fight!”
Mace said in a separate social media post that President-elect Donald Trump called her following the incident.
Supporters of transgender rights protested in Capitol Hill bathrooms last week and were arrested in the aftermath of Mace’s successful push to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the House portion of the Capitol building. She obtained a bullhorn and spoke outside a police facility following their arrests.
Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
