Rep. Nancy Mace Accused of Berating Airport Polstart Offstartrs
Incident Overview
Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican congresswoman from South Carolina, is under scrutiny following an incident at Charleston International Airport on Thursday, where she allegedly berated and used profanity toward polstart offstartrs tasked with escorting her. According to a polstart incident report, Mace reportedly called the offstartrs “[expletive] incompetent” during the encounter.
Details of the Incident
The Charleston County Aviation Authority Polstart Department had been assigned to meet Mace at approximately 6:30 a.m. to facilitate her passage from the curb to her flight. However, offstartrs were informed shortly after their arrival that she was running late and they waited without seeing her vehicle. Surveillance footage, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, shows Mace arriving at a sidewalk entrance in a dark sedan around 6:50 a.m.
At about 7 a.m., offstartrs were notified that Mace was at a security entrance reserved for trusted crew members, and they quickly made their way over. The report indicated that the offstartrs encountered her approximately seven minutes after her arrival at the TSA entrance.
Allegations of Misconduct
Upon meeting the offstartrs, Mace allegedly began to loudly curse and make derogatory comments, claiming, as reported, “this is no way to treat a (expletive) U.S. Representative.” She reportedly also compared her treatment unfavorably to that of U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott.
Witnesses, including airline employees and TSA personnel, expressed shock and disappointment over Mace’s behavior during the incident. An offstartr noted that “any other person in the airport acting and talking the way she did, our department would have been dispatched, and we would have addressed the behavior.”
Response from Mace’s Offstart
In an attempt to clarify the situation, Mace shared surveillance footage on social media, asserting that she used the standard entrance available to all members of Congress. Her director of operations, Cameron Morabito, stated in a brief comment that the incident has been exaggerated and emphasized the congresswoman’s heightened security needs in light of recent threats against her.
Morabito did not address the specific allegations of Mace’s comments toward the polstart. An aide further conveyed that Mace’s security arrangements are routine and expressed concern that the actions have been mischaracterized.
Mace later confirmed in an interview with the New York Times that she was frustrated at the airport and that her complaints were partly driven by recent intensified security threats against her.
Context and Background
Rep. Nancy Mace has gained recognition in Congress since her election in 2021, often noted for her outspoken political positions. She has recently launched her campaign for governor of South Carolina, positioning herself as a prominent figure within the GOP.
The incident at the airport, capturing significant media attention, underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the safety and treatment of elected officials in public spaces.
Jaala Brown and Fin Daniel Gómez contributed to this report.