Rep. Nancy Mace Berates Charleston Airport Police in Security Confrontation Amid Election Campaign

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), currently a gubernatorial candidate, publicly acknowledged and defended her confrontational behavior toward security personnel at Charleston International Airport, where she reportedly berated officers and TSA agents for what she described as security lapses and incompetence. Mace cited over two dozen security breaches at this airport within the year and emphasized the heightened security risks for political figures amid recent assassination attempts and political violence, justifying her outburst as a response to perceived threats to her safety. Despite reports obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request detailing her use of profanity and derogatory remarks toward airport staff, Mace framed the incident as a result of the airport's security failings and not her own misconduct. The incident drew criticism from her political opponents, who condemned her behavior as disrespectful and indicative of entitlement, while some noted the challenges TSA agents face amid ongoing federal government shutdowns that have left them unpaid. Mace criticized the airport's leadership, particularly its CEO Elliott Summey, for what she described as laziness and incompetence, and stressed that she has not experienced similar issues at other airports. The controversy highlights tensions over airport security protocols, personal safety for public officials, and employee conditions during government operational disruptions.