Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) gave a marathon speech on the House floor Monday night, accusing several men – including her former fiancé – of serious sexual crimes, including assault and sex trafficking.
Before delivering her speech, Mace told reporters that her statements would be protected by the Speech and Debate Clause, which shields lawmakers from criminal prosecution or lawsuits related to what they say during their official duties. Following this, Mace took to the House floor and claimed that four men from her district were involved in crimes like human trafficking, rape, voyeurism, and other offenses.
She also slammed South Carolina’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General Alan Wilson, for delaying an investigation into the men she named. Wilson’s office later denied these claims.
“In November 2023, I accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable,” she said. “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 claimed she had evidence of the crimes, including images, videos, and metadata.
“These men didn’t just harm their victims. They recorded their depravity as if it were a badge of honor,” she said. “When I uncovered evidence of rape and the illegal filming of women and sex trafficking, I didn’t just see victims. I saw a system that failed to protect them. I saw criminals who thought they could get away with it because no one had the guts, no one had the courage, no one had the bravery to hold them accountable, because we are filled with cowards.”
She continued, “I will burn this system to the ground if I have to. These men aren’t just criminals, they are predators. And you can see the names in the faces of these predators on this board to my right tonight. These predators are not untouchable. These predators are not invisible, and these predators are not invincible. And today, their names will be tied to their crimes and their cowardice forever. Let me say their names for the record in alphabetical order.”
Mace then named the men, accusing them of being part of an organized rape ring. She shared that she had found evidence showing women and girls had been raped while unconscious, and she revealed that she herself was a victim.
Mace said she spoke out to raise awareness about a larger issue of sexual violence:
“It’s not a problem confined to one race, it’s not a problem confined to one religion. It’s not a problem confined to one socio-economic class. It’s not someone else’s problem. It is our problem we must face domestic violence, sexual assault, rape and sex trafficking with courage. We must face it with clarity, and we must face it with compassion. We must also face it with hardcore justice.”
Mace also addressed Attorney General Wilson, criticizing him for how victims are treated:
“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. And what I turned over, 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.”
In response, Wilson’s office issued a statement denying Mace’s accusations, saying his office had not been contacted by any law enforcement agencies regarding the case.
Before her speech, Mace told reporters that her statements were protected under the Speech and Debate Clause, which gives lawmakers immunity from criminal prosecution or lawsuits based on what they say during official legislative work.
You can watch Mace’s full speech below.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace's explosive floor speech to expose rapists, peeping toms, and sex traffickers https://t.co/dtRH7de99F
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) February 11, 2025
