Rep. Nancy Mace Accuses Four Men of Rape and Sexual Abuse in House Floor Speech
A Graphic and Emotional Address
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., took to the House floor Monday night to accuse four men — including her ex-fiancé — of rape, sex trafficking, and other sex crimes against her and other female victims, which she called “some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable.”
A Personal Account
Mace also accused South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a potential GOP rival for governor in 2026, of failing to prosecute the men after, she said, she presented his office with evidence. Mace, who is in her third term, made the accusations during a more than 50-minute speech that was attended by several GOP colleagues, her mother, and a dozen other female supporters.
A Call to Action
“I rise today to call out the cowards who think they can prey on women and get away with it. Today, I’m going scorched earth. So let the bridges I burn this evening light our way forward,” she said in her floor speech.
Graphic Details
“We’re talking about rape, nonconsensual photos, nonconsensual videos of women and underage girls, and the premeditated, calculated exploitation of women and girls in my district,” Mace continued.
Denials from the Accused
All four men Mace named on the House floor vehemently denied the allegations to NBC News. Mace’s former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, a Charleston software entrepreneur, said in a statement: “I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name.”
Background and Context
Mace is widely expected to jump into the 2026 race for governor, and one of her potential rivals is Wilson, the attorney general, who is the son of Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. In her speech, Mace accused Alan Wilson of delaying an investigation into the allegations after she handed over graphic videos, photos, and other evidence of the men raping her and others, as well as photographs of underage girls, last year.
A Personal Story of Survival
Many of the details Mace shared were extremely graphic. She said that in November 2023, her ex-fiancé gave her access to his phone. On it, she said, she discovered videos of “incapacitated” women being raped. To her shock, one of them was her, she said. “I turned up the volume to hear if there was audio. I heard my voice. I zoomed in on the video. And that woman was me,” Mace said. “My entire body was paralyzed, and I couldn’t move. Were my feet on the floor? Was I breathing? I have no idea.”
A Critique of the Attorney General’s Office
When she turned over the evidence, Mace said, Wilson’s office told her that she would be investigated. “Women who come forward in your system are treated like criminals under your leadership, in your system and on your watch. Attorney General Alan Wilson, you know there were deliberate delays in an investigation in what I turned over,” Mace said. “Two hundred and twenty-eight days of delay. And you know this, 228 days of delay. That’s seven months, two weeks, and four days of delay to investigate. Once again, today, you are kicking the can down the road like you always do.”
Response from the Attorney General’s Office
Wilson’s office issued a lengthy statement Monday night calling Mace’s accusations that the office failed to act “categorically false.” “Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General. At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters. Additionally, the Attorney General and members of his office have had no role and no knowledge of these allegations until her public statements,” Wilson’s office said.
Conclusion
Mace’s speech was a powerful and emotional address that brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse and the need for accountability. While the accused men have denied the allegations, Mace’s story highlights the importance of believing survivors and taking action to prevent such crimes from occurring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the four men accused of rape and sexual abuse?
A: The four men accused are Mace’s ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other individuals.
Q: What did Mace accuse the Attorney General’s office of doing?
A: Mace accused the Attorney General’s office of delaying an investigation into the allegations and failing to take action.
Q: How did Mace’s office respond to the allegations?
A: Mace’s office released a statement saying that the allegations were “categorically false” and that the Attorney General’s office had not received any reports or requests for assistance regarding the matters.
