WASHINGTON (CBS) — An Illinois man was arrested Tuesday night on charges of assaulting Republican Rep. Nancy Mace on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
U.S. Capitol Police said James McIntyre, 33, faces a charge of assault on a government official. It was not specified where in Illinois McIntyre was from.
Capitol Police said they located McIntyre after a member of Congress’ office reported an incident at the Rayburn House office building. McIntyre was arrested after an investigative interview, Capitol Police said.
The Rayburn House office building was open at the time of the incident and McIntyre had gone through security, Capitol Police said.
Before Tuesday nightthe congresswoman from South Carolina published on social networks which was “physically approached” on the grounds of the Capitol. Mace wrote in the post that he might need a wrist brace and arm ice, but that he would be fine.
Mace also hinted in the post that the attack had something to do with his stance on trans issues, but Capitol Police would not confirm a possible motive.
last month, Mace introduced legislation change House rules to bar transgender women from using women’s bathrooms and other facilities on Capitol Hill, in a proposal that came just before the House prepared to swear in the first openly transgender member of Congress.
of mace resolution of two pages would prohibit members, officers and employees of the House from using single-sex facilities in the Capitol or in House office buildings that do not correspond to their “biological sex.” His proposal states that allowing “biological males” into women’s restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms “jeopardizes the safety and dignity” of female lawmakers, officials and staffers on Capitol Hill.
Mace’s legislation appeared to target Rep.-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware, who became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress when she won the race for the state’s only House seat last month.