Overview

• Federal prosecutors dismissed misdemeanor assault charges against James McIntyre on April 1, offering no explanation for the decision.
• Rep. Nancy Mace alleged McIntyre injured her during a Capitol event in December 2024 by shaking her hand aggressively, causing arm and wrist pain.
• Eyewitnesses, including foster care advocate Elliott Hinkle, disputed Mace’s account, describing the interaction as a handshake without signs of aggression.
• McIntyre, a foster care advocate and supporter of transgender youth, stated the charges were an attempt to criminalize his advocacy work.
• Mace criticized the dismissal, framing it as a failure to protect women and vowing to continue speaking out despite the outcome.