Overview

• Several former staffers told WIRED they were instructed to create anonymous social media accounts to defend Mace and post favorable comments on platforms including Reddit.
• Mace’s communications director, Sydney Long, denied the allegations and called them a misuse of taxpayer-funded staff time.
• Consultant Wesley Donehue testified that Mace personally set up bots and burner accounts, though anonymous aides say they never witnessed her coding in action.
• The claims raise questions about the ethical use of congressional staff resources by the chair of the House Cybersecurity and Government Innovation subcommittee.
• The controversy adds to existing scrutiny, including a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation into Mace’s accusations against her ex-fiancé.