UPDATED, noon  |  U.S. Capitol Police say they have arrested an Illinois man on a charge of assaulting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Tuesday at the Capitol, according to multiple media reports.

But according to reports today, witnesses apparently told police that the man simply shook Mace’s hand: “Three witnesses at the scene told The Imprint their accused colleague James McIntyre had done nothing more than shake the congress member’s hand at the House reception, and asked her to protect the rights of transgender people. ”

The Washington Post today reported the head of a foster care advocacy group at a reception disputed Mace’s allegations of an assault saying, “the two merely shook hands during what appeared to be an amicable greeting.”

Meanwhile Tuesday night on the social media channel X, Mace offered a five-sentence statement:  

“I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it’ll heal just fine. The Capitol police arrested the guy. Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO.”  The last word is an internet acronym for the phrase “F*** around and find out.”

According to NBC News, the suspect was identified as James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois.  He reportedly faces a charge of assaulting a government official.  CNN said police received a report of an incident just after 6 p.m. Tuesday from a congressional office in the Rayburn Office Building.  Officers then tracked down a suspect and arrested him.

Mace made headlines last month for introducing a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms at the Capitol.  Later she filed broader legislation.  And House Speaker Mike Johnson quickly followed Mace’s lead in November by barring transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the Capitol.

In other recent headlines from around the state and nation:

Murdaugh files appeal with S.C. Supreme Court. Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh has filed a lengthy appeal with the state’s highest court over killing his wife and a son.

State senator proposed using lottery dollars for vouchers. S.C. Sen. Greg Hembree, the Horry County Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, has proposed spending State lottery dollars in the budget to get around a constitutional prohibition on spending taxpayer dollars for vouchers.

TRANSITION: Charleston’s Bessent, Trump’s Treasury pick, doesn’t fit loyalist mode. This article, scheduled for print publication on Dec. 15, looks at understanding hedge-fund titan Scott Bessent of Charleston, a married gay man with children who doesn’t fit the Trump loyalist

Feds sue S.C. over treatment of mentally ill. According to the lawsuit filed Monday, the state isn’t doing enough “to make sure people with serious mental illnesses are taken out of group homes and helped to get back into the community.” S.C. Gov. Henry Mcmaster has called the lawsuit “political.”

Reviewing what’s been going on at the monkey farm. This story says internal documents describe escapes and show staff problems and “sloppy practices” at the Yemassee monkey facility that’s been in the news over the last month.

Monarch butterflies on decline. The species could be declared threatened on the endangered species list because of its decline.

Charlamagne Tha God is partner in new Krystal in Orangeburg. The Lowcountry celebrity helped open the location on Monday.

Former North Charleston police officer charged with misconduct. The former officer was accused with misconduct in office for alleged excessive use of force in November 2023.

Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.

Help support independent journalism by donating today.

[empowerlocal_ad sponsoredarticles]