Rep. Nancy Mace Clashes with TSA at Charleston Airport, Sparks Outcry

UPDATE: Rep. Nancy Mace finds herself at the center of a heated controversy following a tense encounter with TSA officers at Charleston International Airport on October 30, 2023. A newly released internal report reveals a chaotic morning that escalated from a simple logistical error into a confrontation that has drawn significant scrutiny.

The situation unfolded when Mace’s airport escort failed to meet her as expected. According to the report obtained by the New York Post, a supervisor mistakenly communicated that Mace would arrive in a white vehicle instead of her actual grey BMW. This miscommunication, compounded by Mace’s unconventional use of the encrypted app Signal for coordinating logistics, led to a series of misunderstandings with airport security.

Witnesses describe Mace as visibly frustrated, bypassing established TSA protocols and becoming verbally aggressive when she realized her escort was absent. Security footage shows her on a call, exclaiming, “I shouldn’t be waiting,” and insisting that other officials wouldn’t face such delays. She reportedly expressed her dissatisfaction by stating, “Tim Scott would not be f–king treated this way,” referring to her fellow senator and further escalating tensions.

Though her delay lasted no more than six minutes, the atmosphere was charged. Mace reportedly berated a TSA supervisor, refused to go through standard security lanes, and demanded immediate assistance. During the encounter, she was heard calling police “f–king idiots” and “f–king incompetent,” leaving TSA staff visibly upset, as none were receiving pay due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The airport police noted that Mace’s team often requests security escorts based on safety concerns but has “never provided” documentation to back those claims. Officers have repeatedly arrived only to find Mace was not where her staff indicated she would be.

Following the report’s publication, Mace’s office claimed it amounted to an “exoneration,” maintaining her focus on pressing issues like affordability and law enforcement. However, the political repercussions are already manifesting. Sen. Tim Scott has publicly rebuked Mace, stating that it is “never acceptable to berate” law enforcement and emphasizing his own commitment to civility, both in public and private.

Recent polling indicates that Mace’s standing in the GOP gubernatorial primary is slipping, a trend that began concurrently with the airport incident. How voters interpret this episode—whether as a moment of understandable frustration or as a reflection of her temperament—will likely influence her campaign’s trajectory.

As the fallout continues, many are left wondering how this incident will impact Mace’s political future. The airport confrontation has not only sparked debate among constituents but also raised questions about the treatment of public officials in similar situations.

Watch the video below for footage capturing the incident as it unfolded: Airport security footage shows Nancy Mace making a ‘spectacle’ due to ‘minor miscommunication’ https://t.co/LR57bEe3Uw pic.twitter.com/eQ7rGwjAD9— New York Post (@nypost) December 9, 2025.