On May 20, 2025, the halls of Congress witnessed a moment that was as shocking as it was courageous. Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a three-term congresswoman from South Carolina, stood before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, which she chairs, and did something unprecedented. She displayed a nude silhouette of herself, an image she alleges was taken without her consent by her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant. The hearing, titled “Breach of Trust: Surveillance in Private Spaces,” became a platform for Mace to not only share her personal story but to advocate for stronger legal protections against non-consensual recordings and sexual misconduct. This article delves into the details of this extraordinary event, its implications, and the broader fight for privacy rights.
A Personal and Public Reckoning
Mace’s decision to share the image was not a spur-of-the-moment act but a calculated move to shine a light on the pervasive issue of voyeurism and non-consensual surveillance. “Today I will show my naked body on one of the videos predator and rapist Patrick Bryant took of me and many other women. Without our knowledge. Without our permission. And without our consent,” Mace declared in a post on X before the hearing. Her words set the stage for a raw and emotional testimony that would spark both admiration and controversy.
During the hearing, Mace presented a blurred, black-and-white image of herself, circled in yellow, which she described as a still from a video secretly recorded by Bryant. “I didn’t know that I had been filmed. I didn’t give my consent,” she said, her voice steady but laced with the weight of her experience. She also displayed censored images of other women, which she claimed were taken from Bryant’s collection, alleging that these too were recorded without consent. The images were carefully obscured to protect the identities of the women, but their presence underscored the scale of the alleged violations.
Mace’s testimony was deeply personal. She recounted discovering over 10,000 videos and photos on Bryant’s phone in November 2023, which she claims included footage of herself and other women, some in compromising positions, and even instances of alleged rape. “It isn’t just creepy. It’s criminal,” she stated, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the violation of privacy. Her remarks were not just an accusation but a call to action, urging Congress to pass two bills she’s sponsoring: the Sue Voyeurs Act and the Stop Voyeurs Act, which aim to strengthen federal penalties for video voyeurism and allow victims to sue offenders.
The Accused Responds
Patrick Bryant, a Charleston tech entrepreneur and Mace’s former fiancé, has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement to POLITICO, he called the accusations “false” and “outrageous,” asserting, “I have never raped anyone. I have never hidden cameras. I have never harmed any woman. These accusations are not just false — they are malicious and deeply personal.” Bryant argued that Mace’s claims were made under the protection of the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which shields lawmakers from legal repercussions for statements made during legislative activities. “If she believed them to be true and there was evidence to support her accusations, she would say them outside the chamber,” he added.
Bryant’s denials are part of a broader legal battle. Mace first made these accusations in a nearly hour-long House floor speech in February 2025, where she named Bryant and three other men, accusing them of rape, sex trafficking, and non-consensual filming. The fallout was immediate: one of the accused, Brian Musgrave, filed a defamation lawsuit against Mace in March, while Mace herself sued another, Eric Bowman, for alleged defamation on social media. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed an ongoing investigation into the allegations, initiated in December 2023 after being contacted by the U.S. Capitol Police. Bryant has stated he is fully cooperating with the investigation.
The Bigger Picture: Privacy and Justice
Mace’s actions during the hearing were not just about her personal experience but part of a broader mission to address the growing threat of hidden cameras and non-consensual recordings. “Liberty begins with the right to close a door. A hidden camera kicks that door off its hinges,” she said, invoking the Fourth Amendment’s promise of a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” She highlighted how affordable technology, like cameras disguised as smoke detectors or alarm clocks, has made it easier for perpetrators to invade private spaces. Joseph LaSorsa, a security consultant who testified at the hearing, confirmed this, noting that such devices are increasingly common in homes, offices, and rentals.
The timing of the hearing was significant. Just one day earlier, President Donald Trump signed the “Take It Down” Act, which mandates that online platforms remove non-consensual intimate images, including those altered by AI, within 48 hours of a victim’s request. Mace’s push for the Sue Voyeurs Act and Stop Voyeurs Act builds on this momentum, aiming to expand federal prosecution of voyeurism beyond federal lands and increase penalties, which are currently limited to a misdemeanor with up to one year in prison. In South Carolina, voyeurism laws are similarly weak, with a first offense carrying a maximum of three years and a $500 fine.
Controversy and Criticism
While Mace’s testimony was lauded by some as a brave stand for victims, it also drew criticism. Some questioned whether a congressional hearing was the appropriate venue for such personal allegations. Influencer Aaron Rupar posted on X, “Nancy Mace is using a congressional hearing to settle scores with her ex-fiancé and accused him of sex crimes.” Others, like Ron Filipkowski of MeidasTouch Network, wondered if the point could have been made without displaying the image. The graphic nature of Mace’s presentation, combined with the lack of public evidence beyond her claims, has fueled skepticism, particularly given the legal immunity she enjoys in Congress.
Mace, however, remains undeterred. “I would run through a brick wall to protect women and girls in South Carolina and to other potential victims,” she said during the hearing. Her history as a vocal advocate for sexual assault survivors and her own experience as a rape survivor add weight to her mission. She has also clashed with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, accusing him of failing to prosecute the men despite what she claims is clear evidence. Wilson’s office has denied these claims, stating they had no knowledge of the allegations until Mace’s public statements.
A Call for Change
Mace’s actions have sparked a national conversation about privacy, consent, and accountability. By sharing her story, she has put a human face on the issue of non-consensual surveillance, challenging the stigma that often silences victims. Her proposed legislation could reshape how such crimes are prosecuted, offering stronger protections and harsher penalties. But the controversy surrounding her methods highlights the delicate balance between personal advocacy and public responsibility.
As the SLED investigation continues and legal battles unfold, Mace’s stand serves as a reminder of the courage it takes to confront personal trauma in the public eye. Whether her efforts will lead to legislative change or further polarize opinions remains to be seen. For now, she has made it clear: “Today I choose daylight. I invite every member of this House to step into this light with me.