The Capitol handshake dispute (Dec. 2024)
In December 2024, Rep. Mace alleged she was physically assaulted by foster-care advocate James McIntyre at a Capitol Hill reception; at least three witnesses described the contact as a handshake; federal prosecutors dropped the charge in April 2025.
On December 10, 2024, Rep. Nancy Mace attended a reception at the Rayburn House Office Building marking the 25th anniversary of the Foster Care Independence Act. Also present was James McIntyre, a 33-year-old Chicago-based foster-care alumni advocate and co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, who had passed through standard Capitol security to enter the building.
Mace alleged she was "physically accosted." According to the Capitol Police account cited in court filings, McIntyre approached her after she spoke and "took her hand with both of his hands and shook her arm up and down in an exaggerated, aggressive handshaking motion" while saying, "Trans youth deserve advocacy." Mace reported that her arm was "flailing for about 3-5 seconds," that she felt pain in her wrist, arm, armpit, and shoulder, and that she could not free herself. She declined paramedic assistance at the scene.
That evening, Mace posted her account on X (@NancyMace):
"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. #HoldTheLine"
At least three witnesses, including advocates present at the same event, disputed that characterization. Elliott Hinkle, a Wyoming foster-care advocate, told the Chicago Sun-Times: "What we witnessed was a handshake, a passionate shake, but it didn't look like an assault or intended aggression." Multiple witnesses quoted by the Washington Post described the interaction as a routine constituent greeting.
McIntyre was arrested the evening of December 10, 2024, and charged with misdemeanor assault of a government official. He pleaded not guilty. On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia filed a notice of nolle prosequi, a formal declaration declining prosecution, and the charge was dropped. Prosecutors offered no explanation in the court filing. McIntyre said he was "pleased but not surprised," and stated that "the case was meant to criminalize anyone who advocates" for transgender youth.
Mace posted her account within hours of the incident and used it in fundraising correspondence. After the charge was dropped, she maintained: "When a man can physically assault a woman in the halls of Congress, with impunity, it sends an appalling message to every woman in America."
Mace's characterization of the contact as an assault and McIntyre's characterization of the charge as politically motivated are each reported as their own statements; the legal outcome, the charge dropped via nolle prosequi, is a matter of confirmed court record.
Source. Chicago Sun-Times (Dec. 11, 2024) | Chicago Sun-Times (Apr. 2, 2025) | NBC News (Apr. 2025) | The Hill (Dec. 2024) | Post and Courier (Apr. 2025) | Rolling Stone
On the Record
Mace tweet: 'I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. FAFO.'
On December 10, 2024, Mace posted on X alleging she had been physically accosted at the Capitol by a 'pro-tr*ns man'; Capitol Police arrested foster-care advocate James McIntyre, whose charges were later dropped in April 2025.