The South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace accused four men – including her former fiance – of rape, physical abuse and sexual misconduct during a nearly hourlong speech on Monday on the US House floor.
In the 50-minute presentation, Mace named and displayed photos of the alleged abusers. Mace described how, in November 2023, she “accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable” – including “non-consensual photos, non-consensual videos of women and underage girls”.
Mace’s remarks took place after House votes and when most legislators had left. Mace’s mother, three of her fellow Republican representatives, and a dozen supporters were in attendance for the speech.
“You’ve booked yourself a one-way ticket to hell,” Mace said in reference to the four men. “It is nonstop. There are no connections. So I and all of your victims can watch you rot into eternity.”
Mace added that Patrick Bryant, Mace’s ex-fiance, “physically assaulted” her at the end of their relationship. She also said that he possessed graphic images and videos of various assaults on his phone, including of women who were incapacitated. Mace said that she discovered Bryant had filmed her naked and without her consent.
Bryant denied the accusations in a statement to the Associated Press. “I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” Bryant said.
Mace also criticized the South Carolina attorney general, Alan Wilson, for failing to prosecute the men after she presented evidence to authorities. “Did South Carolina’s attorney general have any of these predators indicted after being provided clear cut-and-dry evidence including video, photos and witnesses?” Mace asked.
In a statement following Mace’s speech, Wilson’s office called the congresswoman’s accusations against the attorney general “categorically false” and “politically motivated”. Wilson and Mace are both considering running for South Carolina governor in 2026.
“At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters,” the statement said.
The attorney general’s office also claimed Mace never approached Wilson with allegations despite the two attending several events together and Mace having his personal phone number.
Mace’s remarks on the House floor are protected under what is known as the “speech or debate clause”, which prevents legislators from being prosecuted or sued for remarks and actions during legislative actions.
Mace’s office has also issued a statement defending her unprecedented remarks on the House floor by referring to the constitutional protection.
“Any and all statements made by members on the House floor are quintessential ‘legislative acts’, and protected by the speech and debate clause afforded under the constitution of the United States,” the statement from Mace’s office said. “Her statements tonight are not conjecture, they are not allegations, they are facts based on information she uncovered and documents she accidentally discovered.”
Mace has emerged as a vocal opponent of transgender women being allowed to use women’s restrooms. She has often directly attacked the first openly trans member of Congress, the US House member Sarah McBride of Delaware, who won her seat in November.
While speaking on Monday, Mace included several proposals taking aim at transgender women, saying they were meant to protect women and girls.
Previously, in advocating for exceptions to anti-abortion legislation generally supported by her fellow Republican legislators, Mace had spoken about surviving a rape when she was a teenager.
