Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) unleashed a furious tirade against Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at the Charleston International Airport on Thursday, calling them "incompetent" and berating them for what she claimed was inadequate treatment of her as a member of Congress.
According to an incident report obtained by WIRED under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, Mace cursed at the TSA agents and made repeated derogatory comments towards them. The officers were tasked with escorting her from the curb to her flight after she arrived in a white BMW at the ticketing curb area, but never saw the car arrive.
Mace had been told that she would be arriving in the white BMW at 6:30 am, and when the officers were informed that she was running late, they quickly located her. However, instead of treating Mace with the respect and deference due to a member of Congress, she began "loudly cursing and making derogatory comments" about the department.
According to the incident report, Mace repeatedly stated that the officers were "Fucking incompetent," and "this is no way to treat a fucking US Representative." She also brought a South Carolina Senate colleague into the fray, telling one officer that they would never treat her colleague, Tim Scott, like this.
As the officers escorted her to her gate, Mace continued to curse and complain, often speaking into her phone. An American Airlines gate agent later approached the officers, saying he was "in disbelief" regarding her behavior and implying that a US Representative should not be acting in such a manner.
The incident report also notes that an officer watched video footage of Mace arriving at the airport and determining that she had originally been dropped off in a non-white BMW. The officer concluded that if any other person in the airport were to act and speak like Mace, their department would have taken action.
Mace's office has released a statement defending her behavior, saying that the security procedures are based solely on legitimate safety concerns and that any attempt to politicize this reality is "dangerous and reckless." The statement also appears to suggest that other members of Congress may be treated with similar deference at airports.
According to an incident report obtained by WIRED under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, Mace cursed at the TSA agents and made repeated derogatory comments towards them. The officers were tasked with escorting her from the curb to her flight after she arrived in a white BMW at the ticketing curb area, but never saw the car arrive.
Mace had been told that she would be arriving in the white BMW at 6:30 am, and when the officers were informed that she was running late, they quickly located her. However, instead of treating Mace with the respect and deference due to a member of Congress, she began "loudly cursing and making derogatory comments" about the department.
According to the incident report, Mace repeatedly stated that the officers were "Fucking incompetent," and "this is no way to treat a fucking US Representative." She also brought a South Carolina Senate colleague into the fray, telling one officer that they would never treat her colleague, Tim Scott, like this.
As the officers escorted her to her gate, Mace continued to curse and complain, often speaking into her phone. An American Airlines gate agent later approached the officers, saying he was "in disbelief" regarding her behavior and implying that a US Representative should not be acting in such a manner.
The incident report also notes that an officer watched video footage of Mace arriving at the airport and determining that she had originally been dropped off in a non-white BMW. The officer concluded that if any other person in the airport were to act and speak like Mace, their department would have taken action.
Mace's office has released a statement defending her behavior, saying that the security procedures are based solely on legitimate safety concerns and that any attempt to politicize this reality is "dangerous and reckless." The statement also appears to suggest that other members of Congress may be treated with similar deference at airports.
I mean, I'm no fan of politicians thinkin' they're above the law or somethin', but this Rep Mace chick is just outta line 
. She goes off on TSA agents like that? No class at all 
. And what's with the car drama? Like, she was supposed to arrive in a white BMW and nobody expects her to show up in a non-white one? Boo hoo 
. And now she's tryin' to spin this as the TSA bein' too harsh on her? Give me a break 
. I mean, I'm all for treatin' people with respect, but when you're actin' like that, you don't get special treatment just 'cause you're a Congressperson 
.
They're just doing their job and trying to follow the rules. I mean, who expects a member of Congress to be treated like anyone else at the airport? 
But honestly, her tantrum was so unprofessional and rude... I feel bad for those TSA agents 
Tim Scott's got better things to do than get dragged into some airport argument 
.
. It's all about accountability, you know? 
oh my goodness, can you believe the entitlement level of Rep. Nancy Mace? I mean, I get it, she's a congresswoman and she should be treated with respect, but c'mon! 
. I mean i get it, security procedures can be annoying but u gotta keep ur cool, no need to take out ur frustrations on others 
. And btw, who does she think she is? acting like some kinda celebrity just cuz she's a rep 
. It's a tough job already, and adding all this drama must be really stressful 
. And what really gets me is that she was acting like she's above it all because she's a Congresswoman 
. A little respect and dignity would go a long way 
.
. I mean, come on, cursing at TSA agents and making derogatory comments? That's not leadership, that's entitled behavior 
. Rep. Mace should be more careful about who she's trashing online... or I guess I shouldn't say that anymore, because now she's doing it anyway 
. You don't have to be a perfect person, but how you handle the situations is what truly matters 
.
gotta call out Rep Mace on her behavior, she's supposed to set a good example, not act like some entitled brat 
.