American politician and U.S Representative for South Carolina’s 1st congressional district, Nancy Mace, is gearing up to file lawsuits against one of the United States’ largest carriers, 
American Airlines, claiming that its employees fabricated reports in relation to Mace’s public display of frustration at Charleston Air Force Base-International Airport on October 30.
The incident occurred when the airport police had arranged an escort for Mace to her flight upon arrival; however, there had been some confusion around which vehicle she was set to arrive in. According to multiple officers, as noted in the Charleston County Aviation Authority Incident Report, Mace was incredibly frustrated with the situation, and called the department ‘incompetent’, used foul language, and claimed that this was no way to treat a U.S representative.
Claiming Defamation And Civil Rights Violations
Mace has plans to file a lawsuit against American Airlines, with claims of defamation and civil rights violations, following the incident at CHS. According to Larry Klayman, who will represent Mace, and the founder of Judicial Watch and Freedom Watch, noted that Mace was subjected to a calculated and coordinated effort to malign her character. In a report by NBC, Mace has been accused of berating airport staff by using derogatory and profane language during her public outburst.
South Carolina senator Tim Scott made a statement, noting that it is never acceptable to berate police officers or TSA agents. His statement further emphasizes that these individuals were just doing their job, and it is irrelevant if you are aiming to become a Member of Congress, as it would not entitle you to use vulgar or demeaning language.
“It is never acceptable to berate police officers, airport staff, and TSA agents who are simply doing their jobs, nor is it becoming of a Member of Congress to use such vulgar language when dealing with constituents,”
How The Drama Unfolded
Airport Police had been arranged to escort Mace on her arrival at CHS on Thursday, October 30. There had been confusion around which vehicle she would be arriving in, and the TSA Officers then found Mace attempting to use an entrance to the airport that is designated for crew personnel. As officers began to explain protocols to Mace, she became verbally aggressive, calling the department incompetent, and claimed that the police would never treat Senator Tim Scott this same way.
Mace took to multiple social media platforms posting that ‘TSA wouldn’t let me through’, and then made separate posts that all lawmakers are permitted to use the crew entrance, and claimed this was federal security protocol. Mace’s campaign director, Caeron Morabito, shared a statement that also has added fuel to the fire, noting, “Apparently, simply arriving at an airport now makes headlines if you’re leading the race for Governor.” The American politician has also recently posted on her Facebook page about how she believes she was in the right:
The safety of traveling congress is taken extremely seriously, with security procedures always based on legitimate safety concerns. It has been stressed that any attempt to politicize this is extremely reckless.
American Airlines Gate Agent Under Fire
Once through airport security, Mace was escorted to her designated gate, with the flight taking off safely. However, it is claimed that Mace spoke the same way to multiple TSA agents, who have reported feeling upset by her behavior. Currently, TSA agents are among many federal workers who are presently being forced to work without pay, following the federal government shutdown.
TSA guidelines reiterate that they are legislatively required to observe both rule-based requirements and also for behavioral observation. In any other instance of a passenger behaving in such a way, the individual would have seen that the police department would have been dispatched, and the individual’s behavior would have been addressed. South Carolina Attorney General noted in a report by NBC News that ‘disrespecting the men and women who are tasked to keep the country’s airports safe is unacceptable, and that they deserve respect and appreciation, not profanity, threats, or tantrums.’
Mace plans for legal action, extends to an unidentified gate agent for American Airlines working at Charleston International Airport, alongside the airport’s Chief Executive Officer Elliot Summey, Chief Legal Officer Austin Bruner, and other officers. The planned legal action looks to seek damages for defamation and reputation harm, alongside requesting a public correction or retraction of alleged false reports.
