WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge.
Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an 鈥渆xaggerated, aggressive鈥� manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit.
Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was 鈥減hysically accosted鈥� at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,鈥� Mace wrote.
Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says.
Mace told police that McIntyre said, 鈥淭rans youth serve advocacy,鈥� while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from 鈥渦sing single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.鈥� Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride 鈥� the to be elected to Congress.
A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre鈥檚 release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren't immediately successful.
The Associated Press
