• Rep. Nancy Mace reacts after fellow South Carolina Republicans criticize her profanity-laced tirade at Charleston airport.
• Mace allegedly called airport police incompetent and claimed they wouldn’t treat Sen. Tim Scott similarly.
• Primary opponent trolls Mace by bringing food to airport security workers she berated last week.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (TDR) — Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) erupted on Tuesday night after Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) both distanced themselves from her recent confrontation with airport police, dealing a blow to her gubernatorial campaign.

Last Thursday, Mace reportedly berated airport police in profane fashion at Charleston International Airport, calling them “f**king incompetent” in a rant that one officer said would have been “addressed” if she was “any other person in the airport acting and talking the way she did.” Mace also reportedly stated that security “would never treat Tim Scott like this” during the confrontation.

Mace defends airport tirade

Mace has confirmed that the incident occurred, but defended her handling of it, insisting that she would not tolerate “mediocrity when it comes to airport security.” The congresswoman’s explanation has done little to quell criticism from within her own party as she seeks higher office.

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The altercation allegedly began during a routine security screening when Mace became frustrated with procedures. Airport police reports describe an escalating situation in which the congresswoman’s behavior drew attention from other travelers and staff members.

Scott and Graham throw Mace under the bus

On Tuesday, both Scott and Graham publicly criticized Mace’s conduct, marking a significant break from the typically united front South Carolina Republicans present. Scott, whom Mace specifically invoked during her tirade, said he expects elected officials to treat law enforcement and security personnel with respect.

Graham echoed similar sentiments, noting that airport security workers deserve courtesy regardless of who is passing through checkpoints. The rebukes from South Carolina’s two senators represent a damaging development for Mace’s gubernatorial ambitions in a state where party unity often determines primary outcomes.

Primary opponent seizes opportunity

On Tuesday, Mace’s primary opponent, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), trolled Mace by providing airport police and TSA agents with food from Waffle House and Chick-fil-A, a stunt Mace did not take kindly to.

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The gesture, clearly designed to contrast Wilson’s treatment of security personnel with Mace’s alleged behavior, quickly gained traction on social media. Photos of Wilson distributing meals to grateful airport workers circulated widely, amplifying the political damage from the original incident.

Political fallout continues

The controversy threatens to derail Mace’s gubernatorial campaign before it fully takes shape. Her confrontational style, which has sometimes resonated with conservative voters, appears to have backfired when directed at law enforcement officers and security workers.

Airport police have not filed charges against Mace, but the incident report remains a matter of public record. The congresswoman faces mounting pressure to offer a more comprehensive apology to the officers involved.

Should elected officials face the same consequences as ordinary citizens when they verbally abuse law enforcement officers, or does their position merit different treatment?

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