Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has initiated legal action against American Airlines, the Charleston County Aviation Authority, and local law enforcement following an incident at Charleston International Airport last Thursday. The congresswoman alleges that official reports inaccurately portrayed her as disorderly, a depiction that she claims has caused significant damage to her reputation and has interfered with her gubernatorial campaign.
According to a statement from Mace's office, the lawsuit seeks compensation for "defamation per se and reputational harm." Furthermore, it demands public corrections or retractions of the supposedly false documentation. Her legal team contends that the incident reports not only defame her character but also violate her civil rights and constitute tortious interference with her political campaign.
The Washington Examiner reports that the dispute began when Mace used the TSA Known Crewmember entrance for her flight. Police reports claim that upon being late for her 6:30 a.m. escort, she became "very irate" and used profanity. The reports quote her as saying, "We would never treat Tim Scott like this," and document that she began "loudly cursing and making derogatory comments" immediately upon being notified of her late arrival.
Mace has hired attorney Larry Klayman, the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, to represent her in the case. Klayman, known for handling other high-profile defamation suits, has described the incident as a "calculated and coordinated effort to malign her character through deliberately falsified documentation." He insists that no public official should be subjected to such institutional misconduct.
In an interview with Cheryl Casone on Fox Business, Mace defended her actions as a matter of personal safety. She cited a history of threats, including more than 1,300 death threats in the past year, and referenced attacks on political figures such as President Trump, Charlie Kirk, and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). "And so I take my security very, very seriously," she stated, according to BizPac Review. "I don't wanna be the next person that gets shot and killed." Mace explained that her interaction with airport personnel was aimed at protecting herself, her staff, and her family.
She also criticized the airport for releasing surveillance footage and vehicle drop-off details, arguing that such actions have compromised her safety. Mace emphasized her adherence to TSA rules, which require law enforcement escorts through the crew member line, and pointed out that while assistance was eventually provided, the delays posed unnecessary risks.
The lawsuit highlights the delicate balance between the safety concerns of public officials and administrative protocols. Mace's office maintains that the reports mischaracterize her behavior, potentially harming her public image and political ambitions while discouraging accountability in airport security operations.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R) publicly condemned the alleged use of profanity, deeming it inappropriate for a sitting member of Congress. Mace's team, however, argues that the documentation misrepresents her actions and intent, framing the legal challenge as an effort to hold the airline, airport, and officers accountable while correcting the public record.
As the lawsuit progresses, it may become a high-profile test of institutional accountability. Mace's team is seeking both legal redress and public acknowledgment of errors, signaling that elected officials will not passively accept misrepresentation or lapses in security. The case reflects Mace's focus on protecting herself and others while asserting her willingness to confront bureaucratic failures.
