James McIntyre

James McIntyre is a Chicago-based foster-care alumni advocate and co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America who became the subject of national news in December 2024 after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) accused him of physically assaulting her at a Capitol Hill reception.

What happened

Background: McIntyre, 33, of Chicago's East Rogers Park neighborhood, is a former foster child who has worked as an advocate for foster youth and transgender youth. He co-founded the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America and has also volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County and Illinois. In 2019 he received the Public Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The incident — December 10, 2024: McIntyre attended a reception at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999. Rep. Mace, a Republican from South Carolina and co-chair of the Foster Youth Caucus, was present and speaking at the event. McIntyre had passed through standard Capitol security before entering the building.

Shortly before 6 p.m., McIntyre approached Mace. According to a police account cited in multiple news reports, Mace told officers that McIntyre "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 tried to pull away but could not, and that she experienced pain in her wrists, arm, armpit, and shoulder. She declined paramedic assistance at the scene.

That evening, Mace posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she had been "physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man," adding: "One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it'll heal just fine." Mace subsequently used the episode in a fundraising email to supporters, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Witnesses disputed Mace's characterization: Elliott Hinkle, a Wyoming foster-care advocate who was present at the event with a group affiliated with McIntyre, told reporters that what occurred was simply a handshake. "What we witnessed was a handshake, a passionate shake, but it didn't look like an assault or intended aggression," Hinkle said, as quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times. Capitol Police did not independently confirm whether McIntyre was an advocate of transgender rights or otherwise comment on the disputed characterizations.

Arrest and initial charge: McIntyre was arrested the evening of December 10, 2024, and charged with misdemeanor assault of a government official. He pleaded not guilty on December 11 and was released under conditions requiring him to remain at least 100 yards from Mace, to avoid all communication with her, and to stay out of Washington, D.C. A court appearance was scheduled for January 27, 2025, according to ABC News.

The context of the transgender-rights debate: The incident occurred during a period when Mace had introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol, a measure she publicly framed as a response to the election of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Mace's bathroom-access campaign received significant national attention in the weeks before the December 10 incident.

Charges dropped — April 2, 2025: Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia filed a notice of nolle prosequi — a formal declaration of intent not to prosecute — in D.C. Superior Court, dropping the misdemeanor assault charge against McIntyre, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and multiple other outlets. Prosecutors offered no explanation for the dismissal in the court filing.

McIntyre said he was "pleased but not surprised" by the outcome, and stated that "the case was meant to criminalize anyone who advocates" for the needs of transgender youth. He added: "This experience has been traumatic, but the outpouring of support from my community, colleagues and friends has meant everything."

Mace responded to the dismissal with a statement: "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."

MACEOPEDIA

What happened

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