The head of a foster care advocacy group is disputing allegations that one of its prominent members assaulted Rep. Nancy Mace (A-hole, SC) at the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening following a reception.
James McIntyre, 33, of Illinois, was arrested and faces a charge of assaulting a government official over what witnesses say was an amicable handshake.
According to Capitol Police, the incident was reported at approximately 6:00pm Tuesday night, and later reported by Mace in a post to X.
Details of the arrest were first reported by The Imprint, a youth and family news publication.
The evening began as an event honoring the anniversary of a landmark child welfare law where Mace was speaking as a co-chair of Congress’ bipartisan foster care caucus. Mace told the crowd that while she was not an adoptee or former foster youth, she had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child. She called the dozens of advocates and foster youth in attendance — McIntyre among them — “the cream of the crop.”
As she finished her comments and moved to leave the room, McIntyre approached her near an exit door, witnesses said.
Elliott Hinkle, a former foster youth and advocate for LGBTQ rights, said McIntyre shook her hand, and made a comment about how many transgender youth are in foster care, adding: “They need your support.”
“From what I saw, it was a normal handshake and interaction that I would expect any legislator to expect from anyone as a constituent,” said Hinkle, a consultant who has advised the federal government on issues affecting youth in foster care.
Three witnesses said McIntyre had done nothing more than shake Mace’s hand at the House reception.
One of Mace’s aides returned to ask McIntyre his name and whether he would repeat what he had told the legislator. Two other people who witnessed the interaction confirmed that description of the brief episode.
McIntyre left the event but was summoned back by Capitol Police and was later arrested, and held overnight at the D.C. jail complex. He is expected to make an initial court appearance Wednesday.
Mace was seen walking around on Wednesday morning with her arm in a brace.
Read more about James McIntyre here.
