SC’s Mace calls police report over airport tirade a ‘political hit job’
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican candidate for governor, called the release of a police report and surveillance footage detailing her tirade at officers as a “political hit job.”
During a Monday morning news conference, Mace said she’s experienced 24 security lapses this year at Charleston’s Airport and specifically called out its President and CEO Elliott Summey during her press availability Monday morning.
“I will not sacrifice my safety for Elliott Summey’s laziness, for his incompetence, and those who work for him, who refuse to keep people safe,” Mace said.
In a statement released by the airport, Summey said security of passengers, elected officials and guests through the terminal is “our highest priority.” He however did not directly address Mace’s accusations.
“I take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness,” Summey said. “The men and women of our police department demonstrate professionalism, vigilance and dedication every day as they carry out their mission to serve and protect.”
The Charleston Airport has now changed its security protocol for dignitaries coming through the airport.
Mace’s news conference came after the Charleston Airport Police said the congresswoman berated officers when they did not meet her at her car to escort her through security Thursday morning. Airport police eventually met Mace at the TSA security checkpoint and escorted her through the crew entrance, as is their customary procedure.
Late Monday night, Mace posted 18 minutes worth of airport surveillance video, which did not have audio. Mace added dramatic music over the footage. It shows her arriving at the airport, walking through the ticketing area, meeting her escort at the TSA check point after waiting for seven minutes, going through security, standing at the gate and boarding the aircraft for Chicago.
When she went through security with the officers, Mace is seen gesturing that appears to show frustration.
While in the gate area, Mace can be seen speaking into her phone several times, appearing to type a message from time to time. The two officers are standing several feet away from her.
As she boards the plane, Mace is talking on her phone. Mace said in a social media post Tuesday that she was on a conference call. In that same post she calls the officer a “dirty cop” and also takes aim at the American Airlines gate agent who an officer said was in disbelief over Mace’s behavior.
Mace at her news conference said Charleston is the only airport where she has had security issues.
During her tirade, repeatedly called the officers “F*****g incompetent” and said ‘this is no way to treat a f*****g U.S. representative,” according to reports from officers.
“This was the second time I expressed my frustration. Did I drop an f-bomb? I hope so. Did I call them incompetent? I hope I did, because they earned it,” Mace told reporters.
When members of Congress travel through airports, they may coordinate with local security personnel at the airport to be escorted through TSA security to allow them to go through the process in a smoother fashion. Whether local police can provide an escort sometimes depends on how busy an airport is at the time and not every airport may have its own police force.
Mace was dropped off in a silver BMW at Door 4, the center door of the terminal between the ticketing area and baggage claim. She told reporters it’s the door she normally is dropped off at when she flies out of Charleston.
Police officers, according to their reports, said they were waiting for a white BMW at the ticketing vestibule, which overlaps with Doors 1, 2 and 3 of the airport. They added they occasionally went outside to the curb when they saw a white vehicle.
In her media offensive Monday morning Mace accused the airport police of including “multiple inaccuracies and/or false statements” in their reports, which were released Friday to the media.
“The other thing I want to mention is that these incident reports are almost always used only for people who commit crimes. So, why were these filed?” Mace said. “This was a complete and total political hit job, and if cursing is a crime, then myself and all of you watching this morning should have been arrested a very long time ago.”
Mace’s campaign also released screenshots of text messages saying she would arrive in a silver BMW, not white, and text messages from her staff to airport security asking where police personnel was.
After police met up with Mace, airport police Lt. Philip Moniz also asked which door Mace arrived at. Mace’s staffer said the center doors.
Mace said she has formally requested all surveillance video from Thursday morning from her time at the airport.
“It was a limited video that was cut and that did not show the full picture,” Mace said of what was released.
Mace said the security lapse she experienced Thursday is part of an ongoing problem with the airport, saying she’s had 24 issues this year while flying through the Charleston airport.
“I am frustrated. I am absolutely pissed off, and I’m going to let people know that this is not professional. It’s not okay, it’s wrong. My safety was put at risk,” the Lowcountry congresswoman told reporters.
Mace campaign said there was an incident on Sept. 2 when she arrived at the airport but no security personnel was present. She texted Sgt. Maury Sullivan of the Charleston Airport Police to tell him she had been waiting by TSA security for 10 minutes.
Mace’s campaign also released a screenshot of an Oct. 15 text message she received from Sullivan.
“Good morning Ms. Mace. I want to sincerely apologize for no one meeting you last night when you arrived. I dropped the ball and completely forgot to ask the sergeant who was on duty to have a couple of his officers meet with you,” Sullivan wrote. “That’s on me so when you see me again, you have every right to go off on me.”
Mace also had a text exchange with Sullivan on Thursday morning before her flight to Chicago departed.
“Yeah, but it also shouldn’t be you when you got all these guys working for you. Like there’s a (Table of Organization and Equipment) and you’re in charge,” Mace wrote. “They should respect you and their detail work since they work for you. And unfortunately I’m a liability wherever I am. I’m polarizing. No one needs an incident anywhere which is why we are very sensitive to security issues.”
Sullivan acknowledge Mace’s security concerns and said he will have a discussion about them.
“I know you have idiot people coming after you so that’s why I make sure to advise others to make sure they are in place,” Sullivan wrote back. “We are reviewing video now to see what happened this morning.”
Mace also ignored calls, including one of her primary opponents Attorney General Alan Wilson, for her to apologize for her outburst.
“I am not going to apologize if there is an incompetent government employee at the airport who is expecting an apology this morning, you are not going to get it,” Mace said.
Mace also sent a memo to TSA Sunday detailing the threats she and her office has received.
“We brought these concerns to TSA multiple times, and I am grateful to the leadership at the TSA who has worked with us to ensure that we improve the safety concerns that we have while I’m traveling,” Mace said.
The Charleston Airport’s new protocol for dignitaries, such as members of Congress, is to no longer provide police escorts, which had been a courtesy.
Members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Mace and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott will have to coordinate directly with the TSA when they go through the airport.
“Federal lawmakers and other dignitaries will no longer receive expedited passage through the TSA checkpoint,” airport police Lt. Philip Moniz wrote to staffers for the lawmakers. “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will now be responsible for all screening and security procedures at the checkpoint. Additionally, Charleston Airport Police will no longer provide protective services for these movements but will be in a position to support if needed.”
Clyburn’s office showed appreciation to Charleston Airport Police after it was notified of the change.
“Thank you for this update,” Deitra S. Briggman, of Clyburn’s office wrote. “More importantly, thank you, ‘Team CHS’ for the magnificent and efficient safety/security protocols you implemented and the services you provided to Congressman Clyburn and his staff.”
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM with the headline "SC’s Mace calls police report over airport tirade a ‘political hit job’."
