Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is being sued by one of the men she publicly named in a speech on the House floor in February, accusing him of sexual abuse.
During her address, she made allegations against her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other individuals of committing sex crimes such as rape, sex trafficking, and unauthorized recording of sexual activities involving her and others. This legal matter could potentially revolve around the boundaries of behavior that a current member of Congress is shielded from by constitutional rights in their role as a legislator.
Brian Musgrave has sued Rep. Nancy Mace for accusing him of being a “predator” on the House floor.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/o7GzcWet0r
— AF Post (@AFpost) March 14, 2025
The person filing the lawsuit, Brian Musgrave, has vehemently refuted all accusations brought against him by Mace. Musgrave has clarified that he was not present during any of the incidents detailed by Mace and denied involvement in filming or incapacitating anyone. Claiming that Mace and her associates have adversely affected his and his family’s lives, the lawsuit does not specify a monetary compensation sought, leaving it to the discretion of a jury to determine an amount that serves as a deterrent against similar behavior in the future.
READ MORE: Thoughts on Nancy Mace Speech: Protect, Support, Provide—How a Real Man Treats Women
Although the lawsuit examines Mace’s actions within and beyond the legislative chamber, a leaked version of Mace’s speech circulated on social media. However, the central issue revolves around whether the speech qualifies for protection under the Constitution’s debate clause, safeguarding congressional members from legal repercussions concerning their official duties as lawmakers. This provision encompasses “any speech or debate in either House.” The legal complaint argues that this constitutional clause:
“does not transform the floor of Congress into a sanctuary for defamation, nor does it protect Congresswoman Mace’s extra-Congressional defamatory statements surrounding her speech.”
I won’t be silenced.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) March 14, 2025
In the speech that Mace herself described as “scorched earth,” she not only accused Bryant, Musgrave, and the others of sexual abuse, she also stated that she was speaking out about the alleged events because South Carolina Attorney General Allan Wilson had declined to act on evidence that she provided in any of the cases. Wilson also denied any accusations of improper conduct, and said that Mace’s accusations were “categorically false.” He added that he had “no knowledge” of the alleged assaults until Mace’s House floor speech.
However, after Mace’s speech, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division did confirm that there was an active investigation into Mace’s allegations against Bryant. Bryant has also denied all of Mace’s allegations against him, and released a statement after her speech that read in part, “I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name.”
Mace has become one of the most vocal advocates for keeping biological men out of women’s sports, and protecting women’s private spaces such as restrooms and locker rooms. She has recently introduced the Protecting Women’s Private Spaces Act, the Stop the Invasion of Women’s Spaces Act, and the Prison Rape Prevention Act, which bars transgender women from accessing women’s restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, and prisons.
There could be a bit of politics being played as well. Both Mace and Wilson, along with South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, are potential 2026 gubernatorial candidates.
Just going to leave this right here…
Hold The Line. pic.twitter.com/4gG8eDI4Mx
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) March 14, 2025
As this is a developing story, RedState will provide updates as they become available.
