Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
In a shocking nearly hour-long speech on the U.S. House floor Monday, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) accused her ex-fiancé, Charleston businessman Patrick Bryant, of physically abusing her, recording non-consensual sex acts, and conspiring with others in acts of rape and sexual misconduct.
Mace, who is considering a 2026 run for governor, also called out South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for failing to take action despite her reports to investigators. Wilson, widely expected to be a top contender in the governor’s race, denied her claims.
“Scorched Earth” Allegations
Saying she was going “scorched earth,” Mace alleged that in November 2023, she “accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable.” She claimed to have found evidence of “rape, non-consensual photos, non-consensual videos of women and underage girls, and the premeditated, calculated exploitation of women and girls in my district.”
https://x.com/cspan/status/1889130829541974346?s=46&t=1PFXB15aPunrUy0M3nZZrg
Mace named four men, including Bryant, as being involved. Bryant, who campaigned for her during her 2022 reelection bid, categorically denied the allegations. “I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” he told the Associated Press.
Clash with South Carolina Attorney General
Mace accused Wilson of slow-walking any investigation into Bryant and the others, despite what she described as clear photographic and video evidence.
“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?” she asked, noting that her office had set up a tip line for other potential victims.
Wilson’s office quickly pushed back, calling her claims “categorically false” and stating that “this office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters.”
A Risky Political Gamble?
Mace, 47, has gained national attention for her outspoken positions. A former South Carolina state representative, she was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, the state’s military college. She won her U.S. House seat in 2020 and has been a rising star in the Republican Party.
Her decision to air these accusations on the House floor was unusual, but she emphasized that her remarks were protected under the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, shielding her from legal repercussions.
“This isn’t a story about bitter ex-girlfriends or consensual sex tapes — there are plenty of those. I don’t care what two consenting adults agree to do,” Mace said, linking her allegations to her legislative work on issues such as voyeurism and sexual exploitation.
Monday’s speech wasn’t the first time Mace spoke publicly about sexual violence. In 2019, she revealed she was a survivor of sexual assault while advocating for a rape and incest exception in South Carolina’s abortion laws.
During her speech, Mace was flanked by Republican allies, including Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who sat behind her in solidarity. “Nancy Mace is our friend, and we wanted to support her and give her the encouragement she needed to get that message out,” Boebert said.
Political Implications
Mace’s accusations come as she eyes a potential gubernatorial run in 2026. If she enters the race, she is expected to face Wilson in the Republican primary.
Her relationship with former President Donald Trump has also been complex. While she supported Trump in 2016, she criticized him after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack—only for Trump to back a primary challenger against her in 2022. She survived that challenge and later regained his endorsement in 2024.
After her speech, Mace declined further comment, telling reporters, “I’m at peace.”
