Nancy Mace: What to know about the South Carolina congresswoman
Rep. Nancy Mace pictured after leaving an Epstein victims’ briefing in Washington. Image Credit: thedailybeast
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace left a closed-door congressional briefing with victims of Jeffrey Epstein visibly shaken, later saying she experienced a panic attack. The Republican lawmaker, who represents South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, was seen in tears as she exited the meeting, according to multiple reports.
Mace later explained that she had been overwhelmed by the testimony, which detailed the abuse Epstein survivors endured. “I was triggered. I don’t know how anyone could sit in there and listen to that and not be deeply affected,” she told reporters.
Who is Nancy Mace?
Nancy Mace is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving since 2021. She made history as the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets in 1999, an achievement that has long shaped her political identity.
Born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and raised in South Carolina, Mace has become a prominent figure in GOP politics. Before entering Congress, she served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and built a career as a businesswoman.
Her Role in Congress
Mace has developed a reputation as a lawmaker willing to cross party lines on certain issues. While a Republican, she has at times criticized her own party’s leadership, positioning herself as an independent voice within the GOP.
She serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, which has been central in investigations ranging from government spending to high-profile scandals like the Epstein case. It was in this capacity that she attended the recent closed-door session with Epstein’s victims.
READ ALSO
Who is Jerry Nadler? Veteran Congressman’s retirement marks generational shift
Mark Teixeira: From MLB All-Star to Congressional Candidate – What to know
Why the Meeting Was So Emotional
The congressional briefing featured firsthand accounts from Epstein’s victims, many of whom have sought justice for years following the financier’s arrest and subsequent death in federal custody. Lawmakers were told details of grooming, exploitation, and systemic failures that allowed Epstein to operate unchecked for decades.
For Mace, the meeting became overwhelming. She later revealed that she had to leave because the testimony brought back personal trauma. While she did not go into detail, she described herself as someone who has also lived through difficult experiences, making the victims’ words resonate even more strongly.
Public and Political Reactions
Mace’s emotional response has drawn sympathy from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, with many acknowledging the difficulty of listening to the survivors’ testimonies. Advocates for Epstein’s victims also expressed gratitude that lawmakers were visibly moved, hoping it could spur stronger protections against trafficking and abuse.
At the same time, her visible distress highlights the weight of the Epstein case, which continues to cast a shadow over American politics, law enforcement, and the justice system.
Looking Ahead
Despite the emotional toll, Mace has pledged to continue pressing for accountability in the Epstein case. She told reporters that while the experience was painful, it reinforced her commitment to ensuring survivors’ voices are heard.
For constituents in South Carolina and beyond, the incident has cast Mace in a more human light, not just as a politician, but as someone who empathizes deeply with the struggles of abuse survivors.
