Vandalism at Rep. Mace’s home sparks bipartisan outcry

Lawmakers from both parties condemned an attack on Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-S.C.) home over the holiday weekend after it was vandalized with messages targeting the congresswoman.

The first-term lawmaker’s office said vandals targeted her home in Charleston in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, spray painting “all politicians are bastards” and “f— you Nancy” on the street in front of her house.

Local police are investigating the incident, which Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg (D) condemned in a statement Tuesday.

“These cowardly acts of vandalism are not who we are and will not be tolerated,” Tecklenburg said. “Here in Charleston, we don’t deface monuments and we don’t vandalize people’s homes.” 

Mayor John Tecklenburg Statement on Recent Acts of Vandalism pic.twitter.com/CHgzlkSIoC

— City of Charleston (@CityCharleston) June 1, 2021

Tecklenburg added that “basic human decency is not a political issue.”

Mace, in a string of tweets on Tuesday, echoed the mayor’s sentiment, saying “there is a significant difference between nonviolent protests and criminal acts of intimidation and vandalism.” 

“We should all be able to feel safe in our own homes, regardless of our political beliefs,” she said. 

The incident sparked condemnation from other lawmakers in Congress.

“Absolutely vile. I’m so sorry this happened to you and your family,” said Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) “This type of hatred and intimidation has no place in our politics.”

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, also sent Mace her condolences.

“I’m so sorry Nancy,” Haley tweeted Tuesday. “I hate that your children had to see that.”

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and current South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) expressed their disgust with the targeting of Mace’s home as well.

“Acts of vandalism and hate are simply unacceptable and have no place in our society,” Scott tweeted.

“No one should ever have their home vandalized and this type of behavior is unacceptable and appalling,” McMaster also wrote. “We are better than this as a country and divisive acts used for intimidation need to end. I’m certain our law enforcement agencies will find the guilty party.”