Capitol Police have arrested a man accused of assaulting Rep. Nancy Mace, RS.C., inside a congressional office building in Washington on Tuesday.
James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois, is charged with assault on a government official, according to Capitol Police. He pleaded not guilty in a video arraignment on Wednesday and was released on the condition that he stay at least 100 meters away from Mace and not communicate with him. The judge also ordered him to stay out of Washington.
The incident was reported just before 6 p.m. when McIntyre entered the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, when it was open to the public.
According to court documents obtained by ABC News, McIntyre allegedly approached Mace to shake his hand. “He grabbed her hand with both hands and waved his arm up and down in an exaggerated, aggressive handshake motion,” according to a witness.
Representative Nancy Mace speaks to reporters as they attend a House Republican Caucus meeting on Capitol Hill, November 19, 2024, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Mace, however, told police that McIntyre waved his hands up and down and his arm was “flailing for about 3-5 seconds.” She said she tried to pull her hand away, but McIntyre grabbed her and told her: “Trans youth deserve to be defended.”
Mace told police he was experiencing pain in his wrists, arm and underarm/shoulder as a result of the incident, but refused to be treated by paramedics.
McIntyre is scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 27
mace X declared on Tuesday night that the incident arose from his stance on transgender rights.
Mace made headlines and sparked protests on Capitol Hill over a proposal to ban transgender people from using bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.
“I was approached at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man,” Mac wrote. “A new wrist brace and some ice for the arm and it’ll be fine,” he added.
In November, Mace he presented a measure to ban transgender women from using biological women’s restrooms in the US Capitol.
Her announcement comes as Rep.-elect Sarah McBride prepares to take office as the first transgender person elected to Congress.
If Mace’s measure were to pass, its management would fall to the sergeant-at-arms, who is the top law enforcement officer in the House of Representatives.
