Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has filed a defamation lawsuit against American Airlines, the Charleston County Aviation Authority and local law enforcement following a disputed incident at Charleston International Airport on Thursday.
Mace claims that official reports falsely portrayed her as disorderly, damaging her reputation and interfering with her campaign for governor.
According to a press release from Mace’s office, the lawsuit seeks damages for “defamation per se and reputational harm” as well as public corrections or retractions for the allegedly false documentation.
Her legal team argues the incident reports constitute defamation, violations of civil rights, and tortious interference in her political campaign.
The Washington Examiner reports that the dispute arose when Mace arrived at the TSA Known Crewmember entrance for her flight.
Police reports alleged that she became “very irate” and used profanity while interacting with officers, reportedly stating, “We would never treat Tim Scott like this,” after arriving late for her 6:30 a.m. escort.
Officers documented that she immediately began “loudly cursing and making derogatory comments” after being notified of her arrival.
Mace retained attorney Larry Klayman, founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, to represent her in the case.
Klayman, who has handled other high-profile defamation suits, described the incident as a “calculated and coordinated effort to malign her character through deliberately falsified documentation,” emphasizing that no public official should be subjected to such institutional misconduct.
In a Fox Business interview with Cheryl Casone, Mace defended her actions as a matter of personal safety.
She noted a history of threats, receiving more than 1,300 death threats in the past year and cited prior attacks on political figures including President Trump, Charlie Kirk and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA).
“And so I take my security very, very seriously,” she said, according to BizPac Review. “I don’t wanna be the next person that gets shot and killed.”
Mace said her interaction with airport personnel was intended to protect herself, her staff and her family.
She highlighted repeated security lapses at Charleston International Airport, contrasting these incidents with her experiences at other airports, where threats were swiftly neutralized.
Mace criticized the airport for releasing surveillance footage and vehicle drop-off details, which she contends put her safety at risk.
She also stressed adherence to TSA rules requiring law enforcement escorts through the crew member line, noting that while assistance was eventually provided, the delays created unnecessary danger.
The lawsuit underscores tensions between public officials’ safety concerns and administrative protocols.
Mace’s office insists that the reports mischaracterize her behavior, potentially harming her public image and political ambitions while discouraging accountability in airport security operations.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R) publicly condemned the alleged use of profanity, calling it inappropriate for a sitting member of Congress.
Mace’s team countered 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.
The case also highlights broader concerns about airport security for elected officials and their families.
Mace detailed prior incidents involving herself, her children, and her staff, emphasizing that such breaches are not minor administrative errors but potential threats to life and safety.
She stated that mediocrity in airport security would not be tolerated under her leadership, whether in Congress or as governor.
As the lawsuit moves forward, 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.
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