A Republican congresswoman steps forward with serious allegations against four men, including her former fiancé, during a House floor speech.
According to NBC News, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina delivered a powerful 50-minute speech on Monday night, accusing her ex-fiancé and three other men of rape, sex trafficking, and various sex crimes against her and other female victims.
The third-term Republican representative made these allegations in the presence of several GOP colleagues, her mother, and female supporters. She emphasized the gravity of her accusations by describing them as "some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable."
Mace directed strong criticism toward South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a potential rival in the 2026 gubernatorial race. She claimed Wilson's office failed to properly investigate the evidence she presented, which allegedly included graphic videos and photographs of sexual assaults.
The congresswoman revealed that she discovered disturbing content on her ex-fiancé's phone in November 2023. Among the evidence were videos depicting sexual assaults of incapacitated women, including footage of herself.
During her House floor speech, Mace expressed her frustration with what she perceived as deliberate delays in the investigation. She stated that 228 days had passed since she presented the evidence to authorities.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed opening an investigation into allegations against Patrick Bryant, Mace's former fiancé, in December 2023. The investigation began after contact from U.S. Capitol Police.
All four men named by Mace strongly denied the accusations. Bryant, a Charleston software entrepreneur, issued a statement expressing his intention to cooperate with legal authorities to clear his name. Wilson's office responded by calling Mace's accusations of inaction "categorically false." They clarified that their office had not received any reports or requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies regarding these matters.
Rep. Mace stated her remarks on the House floor are protected under the Constitution's "speech and debate" clause. She made it clear she was determined to expose those who prey on women, regardless of the consequences.
This is not the first time Mace has spoken publicly about sexual assault. In 2019, while serving as a state lawmaker, she revealed being a rape victim at age 16 during a debate on abortion legislation.
The current allegations have significant political implications, particularly given the potential 2026 gubernatorial race where both Mace and Wilson might compete. Wilson's office noted that despite having his contact information, Mace never approached him directly about these matters.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with SLED reporting multiple interviews conducted and search warrants served. The complexity of the case has involved numerous lawyers, and the investigation's findings will be forwarded to a prosecutor for review upon completion. Mace shared her powerful message on the House floor, saying:
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.
Rep. Nancy Mace, representing South Carolina's first congressional district, delivered a consequential speech on the House floor, accusing four men of serious sexual crimes. The allegations, centered around her former fiancé Patrick Bryant and three others, have prompted an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The case has drawn attention to the broader issues of sexual assault prosecution and victim treatment within the justice system while also highlighting potential political implications for the 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial race.
