MORNING HEADLINES | U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., lodged shocking accusations involving rape, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse against her former fiancé and three other men in a fiery Monday night House speech. The men and others reportedly have issued denials. State authorities say they have been investigating since December 2023.
Mace used her nearly hour-long address in the House chamber to name and label a group of four men as “predators” who she said collaborated to victimize a host of females and keep thousands of recordings of some of their alleged acts. Watch the speech video.
“The purpose of my speech tonight is to make sure these women will never be forgotten, and the men who hurt them will never be allowed to get away with it or hide again,” said Mace, who wore a white dress and cross-shaped earrings. Next to her in bold letters was a poster for a victims’ assistance hotline.
Mace made what she called a “scorched earth” speech on the House floor where members enjoy constitutional protections provided by the speech and debate clause (Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1), which gives immunity to lawmakers from criminal prosecutions or civil suits, such as for slander, when they are acting “within the legislative sphere.” Mace offered no evidence to support her accusations, although she said she had plenty of such material.
The S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed Monday night that it has an active investigation into accusations of assault, voyeurism and harassment involving Mace’s former fiancé.
“SLED opened an investigation regarding allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism on Dec. 14, 2023, after being contacted by the United States Capitol Police,” SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said in a statement. “Since that date, SLED has conducted multiple interviews, served multiple search warrants and has a well-documented case file that will be available for release upon the conclusion of the case.”
Mace, who has been making trips around the state as a possible prelude to a 2026 gubernatorial bid, also accused S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, another possible GOP gubernatorial contender, of “deliberate delays” in her case, which a Wilson spokesman “categorically denied” Monday night. A story in The State newspaper reported that Wilson’s office said rape allegations by Mace never were sent to his office.
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