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 currently serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district, a position she has held since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served in the South Carolina General Assembly from 2018 to 2020. She is known for sometimes breaking with her party.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2019: Advocated for exceptions in abortion ban bill

In 2019, Nancy Mace successfully advocated for the inclusion of exceptions for rape and incest in a bill for a six-week abortion ban that passed the South Carolina state house. During a speech, Mace revealed that she had been raped at age 16.

2020: Refused to support efforts to challenge election results

In 2020, Nancy Mace was one of seven Republicans who publicly refused to support their colleagues' efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021.

January 6, 2021: Criticized Trump for 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 voted against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, stating that she opposed the bill because it did not address discrimination against Asian-Americans in higher education.

November 2021: Criticized Lauren Boebert for anti-Muslim comments

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

2021: Pleaded with Trump to condemn Capitol attack

Following the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Nancy Mace pleaded with Trump to condemn it and voted against impeaching Trump due to due process concerns.

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, a fellow Republican, from his position as speaker of the House, citing unfulfilled legislative promises.

December 2024: Accusation of assault at advocacy event

In December 2024, Nancy Mace stated that James McIntyre, a foster youth activist, threatened and physically assaulted her during a handshake at a foster care youth advocacy event. Witnesses disputed Mace's description of the handshake.

2024: Comments on Drone Sightings

During the 2024 United States drone sightings, Nancy Mace stated that she would not rule out the drones were from "outer space" or "outside the universe."

February 2025: Use of Slur at House Oversight Committee

During a House Oversight Committee hearing in February 2025, Nancy Mace used the slur "tranny" to refer to trans people. When confronted, she repeated the word three times, stating, "I don't really care." She also used the same slur during a confrontation with a transgender student at the University of South Carolina, and at a hearing for an amendment to prevent funding trans-related care for members of military families.

February 2025: Accusations of Abuse

In February 2025, Nancy Mace accused her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other men of physical abuse, rape, and sexual misconduct during a speech in the House of Representatives, which all the men denied.

March 2025: Criticism of Senator Slotkin's Reading Material

In March 2025, Nancy Mace criticized U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin for reading aloud from a children's book about LGBT tolerance, stating, "The Left gets mad when we call them groomers but then continue to do this."

May 2025: Accusation of Sexual Grooming

In May 2025, during a DOGE subcommittee hearing, Nancy Mace accused Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women's Law Center, of sexual grooming, asserting that Graves' ideology was "hell-bent on erasing women and grooming children."

September 12, 2025: Remarks Following Charlie Kirk's Assassination

On September 12, 2025, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Nancy Mace made unsubstantiated claims that the shooter was "a tranny or pro-tranny" before any suspect was apprehended.

October 30, 2025: Incident at Charleston International Airport

On October 30, 2025, Nancy Mace was involved in an incident with law enforcement at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, after being late to meet her to escort her to her flight, resulting in public denouncement for her behavior.

2025: Support for Trump's Gaza Plan

In 2025, Nancy Mace supported President Trump's proposal to send U.S. troops to take control of the Gaza Strip and remove the Palestinians from the territory.

2025: Remarks on Zohran Mamdani

In 2025, after Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary and subsequent election, Nancy Mace made controversial statements, including falsely accusing him of "bringing Sharia law to America."

2025: Increased Criticism of LGBTQ Community

Starting in 2025, Nancy Mace began making more statements critical of gays and lesbians in public life, advocating for books with LGBTQ themes to be banned from schools and libraries. She has also accused gay and lesbian couples of grooming children and referred to the Charleston County Public Library as a "grooming center".