Major Controversies Surrounding Nancy Mace: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Nancy Mace.

Nancy Mace is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she represents a coastal district in South Carolina. Before entering Congress, Mace was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. She is also known for being the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. Mace has positioned herself as a more moderate voice within the Republican Party at times, expressing independent views on certain issues.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

January 6, 2021: Criticized Trump for role in Capitol attack

On January 6, 2021, Nancy Mace criticized President Trump for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

May 18, 2021: Voted against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

On May 18, 2021, Nancy Mace joined 61 other House Republicans to vote against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, citing concerns about discrimination against Asian-Americans in higher education.

June 1, 2021: Vandalism of Mace's Home

On June 1, 2021, the Charleston Police Department initiated an investigation after Nancy Mace's home was vandalized with profanity, anarchy symbols, and graffiti supporting the PRO Act.

October 21, 2021: Vote to Hold Steve Bannon in Contempt of Congress

On October 21, 2021, Nancy Mace, along with eight other House Republicans, voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena related to the January 6 Attack. Mace stated her vote was to retain the power to subpoena, foreseeing a potential Republican majority in the House in 2022.

November 2021: Criticized Lauren Boebert's anti-Muslim comments

In November 2021, Nancy Mace criticized fellow Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert for her anti-Muslim comments about Democrat Ilhan Omar.

2021: Mace Cosponsors Life at Conception Act

In 2021, Mace cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, aiming to establish a nationwide abortion ban, while also expressing the need for exceptions and moderation on the issue.

2021: Mace Declines to Sign Amicus Brief on Roe v. Wade

In 2021, Mace was among the Republican representatives who did not sign onto an amicus brief to overturn Roe v. Wade.

2021: Addressed Capitol attack and impeachment

In 2021, following the United States Capitol attack, Nancy Mace pleaded with Trump to condemn the attack but ultimately voted against impeaching him, citing concerns about due process.

2022: Mace Criticizes Abortion Bans Without Exceptions

In 2022, Mace criticized states enacting abortion bans without exceptions following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, expressing disagreement with the Florida abortion ban.

October 3, 2023: Voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House

On October 3, 2023, Nancy Mace voted in favor of removing Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker of the House, citing unfulfilled promises regarding legislation and describing him as a "loser" afterwards.

November 2023: High staff turnover begins

In November 2023, Nancy Mace's office began to experience high levels of staff turnover, eventually leading to a complete turnover of all staff.

2023: Federal Panel Rules District 1 a Racial Gerrymander

In 2023, a three-judge federal panel ruled that Mace's congressional District 1 was redrawn in a "stark racial gerrymander" intended to suppress the power of Black voters.

January 2024: Called Hunter Biden the epitome of white privilege

During a January 2024 hearing, Nancy Mace called Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, "the epitome of White privilege."

February 2024: Complete staff turnover

By February 2024, Nancy Mace's office had experienced a complete turnover of all staff.

August 15, 2024: Mace Mispronounces Kamala Harris' Name

On August 15, 2024, Nancy Mace received nationally circulated criticism for repeatedly mispronouncing Vice President Kamala Harris' name after initially pronouncing her name correctly.

November 18, 2024: Mace Introduces Resolution on Single-Sex Facilities

On November 18, 2024, Mace introduced a resolution to prohibit members of the House of Representatives from using single-sex facilities that don't correspond to their biological sex, targeting transgender women.

December 2024: Alleged assault by James McIntyre

In December 2024, Nancy Mace stated that James McIntyre threatened and physically assaulted her during a handshake at a foster care youth advocacy event. McIntyre was arrested but witnesses disputed Mace's description.

2024: Mace Shifts Stance on LGBTQ Rights

Around and after the 2024 presidential election campaign, Mace shifted to a significantly more hostile position on LGBTQ rights, after initially supporting them.

2024: Drone Sightings Controversy

In 2024, Nancy Mace speculated that drone sightings could be from "outer space" or "outside the universe." However, subsequent investigations by civilian and military agencies, along with law enforcement and independent experts, attributed the sightings to mistaken aircraft and other objects.

February 2025: Mace Uses Slur Against Trans People

At a House Oversight Committee hearing in February 2025, Mace used a slur to refer to trans people and repeated the word when confronted.

February 2025: Accusations of Abuse and Defamation Lawsuit

In February 2025, Nancy Mace accused Patrick Bryant and three other men of physical abuse, rape, and sexual misconduct during a speech in the House of Representatives. The men denied the accusations. In March, one of the men Mace accused, Brian Musgrave, sued her for defamation.

March 2025: Mace Criticizes Elissa Slotkin for Reading from Children's Book About LGBT Tolerance

In March 2025, Mace criticized US Senator Elissa Slotkin for reading aloud from a children's book about LGBT tolerance, using the term 'groomers'.

April 1, 2025: Misdemeanor charge against McIntyre dropped

On April 1, 2025, the misdemeanor charge against McIntyre was dropped. Shortly after, Mace withdrew from the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and was replaced as co-chair by Rep. Erin Houchin.

May 2025: Mace Accuses Fatima Goss Graves of Sexual Grooming

At a DOGE subcommittee hearing in May 2025, Mace accused Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women's Law Center, of sexual grooming.

2025: Mace Criticizes LGBTQ Themes in Schools and Libraries

Starting in 2025, Mace began making more statements critical of gays and lesbians in public life, calling for books with LGBTQ themes to be banned from schools and libraries.