A man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The alleged attacker is 33-year-old James McIntyre of Illinois, and the alleged victim is U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), MSNBC reports.

Here is Mace's statement on the matter:

I was physically accosted at the Capitol tonight by a pro-tr*ns man. One new brace for my wrist and some ice for my arm and it’ll heal just fine.

The Capitol police arrested the guy.

Your tr*ns violence and threats on my life will only make me double down. FAFO. #HoldTheLine

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) December 11, 2024

Background

In her message, Mace hinted at the cause of the alleged assault, namely her position on transgender individuals using restrooms that are contrary to their biological sex.

The Hill explains:

Mace . . . has been at the center of controversy after introducing a bill that bans transgender women from using women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill . . .

Mace, for her part, says that she is simply trying to protect women, but that is not how Mace's opponents see the situation, and if Mace is correct, then the attacker is someone who opposes her on this position.

Here's what we know

ABC News has reported on the details of the alleged assault.

Per the outlet:

The incident was reported shortly before 6 p.m. when McIntyre entered the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill, which was open to the public at the time. According to court documents obtained by ABC News, McIntyre allegedly approached Mace to shake her hand. He “took her hand with both of his hands and shook her arm up and down in an exaggerated, aggressive handshaking motion,” according to a witness.

Mace, ABC reports, went on to claim that she tried to pull her hand away but that McIntyre would not let her.

She also claims that McIntyre told her, "Trans youth deserve advocacy."

What now?

McIntyre has been charged with assaulting a government official. He has already made his first court appearance.

ABC reports:

He pleaded not guilty to the charge in a hearing via video on Wednesday and was released under the conditions that he remain at least 100 yards away from Mace and not communicate with her. The judge also ordered him to stay out of Washington.

McIntyre is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27, 2025. None of this is slowing Mace down. In fact, she seems to have been galvanized by the encounter.