WASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol office building pleaded not guilty Wednesday to an assault charge.
Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace’s hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican at the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit.
Mace, who is identified in a lawsuit only by her initials, posted a series of messages on social media about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her on Wednesday morning to check on her condition.
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“I will be fine once the aches and pains go away,” Mace wrote.
Mace refused to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested by Capitol Police on Tuesday, the affidavit said.
Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth for advocacy,” as she shook her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would ban lawmakers and House of Representatives staff from “using same-sex facilities other than those that correspond to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill specifically targets Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person elected to Congress.
A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release following an arraignment in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Attempts to reach an attorney for McIntyre were not immediately successful.
