The Fight for Privacy Rights
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) shared a photo of what she described as a “naked silhouette” of herself that she said was taken without her consent while renewing allegations of sexual abuse against multiple men, including her ex-fiancé, during a House subcommittee hearing Tuesday.
The four men Mace has accused of crimes have repeatedly denied wrongdoing. The South Carolina Republican framed her testimony as part of a broader effort to advocate for stronger legal protections for victims of non-consensual recording and sexual misconduct.
Empowering Victims Through Advocacy
The remarkable moment from a sitting member of Congress came during a hearing for the House Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee, which Mace chairs, titled “Breach of Trust: Surveillance in Private Spaces.”
“I would run through a brick wall to protect women and girls in South Carolina and to other potential victims,” Mace said during her remarks. “I want you to know I have your back.”
Standing Against Privacy Violations
Along with the photo of herself, Mace presented a series of censored images of women, which she claimed were pulled from recordings belonging to her ex-fiancé and Charleston tech entrepreneur Patrick Bryant — who has denied Mace’s allegations. Mace also said the photos of the unidentified women were taken without their consent.
In a statement to POLITICO on Tuesday, Bryant called the accusations Mace made during the hearing “false” and “outrageous.”
“I have never raped anyone,” Bryant said. “I have never hidden cameras. I have never harmed any woman. These accusations are not just false — they are malicious and deeply personal.”
Legal Battles and Advocacy
Mace’s testimony follows a House floor speech she delivered in early February, accusing Bryant and three other men of rape, sex trafficking and recording sex acts with her and others without consent.
Legal battles have emerged from her allegations. Mace faces a pending defamation lawsuit brought by one of the men she’s accused, which was filed in March in federal court.
Earlier this month, an attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina told the court he would be representing Mace, a sign that Mace will likely claim her speech is protected under a clause in the Constitution that provides a legal shield for members of Congress for actions taken as part of their roles as lawmakers.
Mace also sued one of the other accused men in state court earlier this month, claiming he “repeatedly and maliciously defamed” her on social media.
