{"id":2476878,"date":"2025-08-20T17:14:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-throws-out-defamation-suit-against-nancy-mace-after-house-floor-accusations\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T17:14:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:14:58","slug":"judge-throws-out-defamation-suit-against-nancy-mace-after-house-floor-accusations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-throws-out-defamation-suit-against-nancy-mace-after-house-floor-accusations\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge throws out defamation suit against Nancy Mace after House floor accusations"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-throws-out-defamation-suit-against-nancy-mace-after-house-floor-accusations%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2476878&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/one-of-two-wisconsin-supreme-court-rulings-give-president-trump-the-win-should-be-enough-votes-to-win-the-state\/\" title=\"One of Two Wisconsin Supreme Court Rulings Give President Trump the Win \u2013 Should Be Enough Votes to Win the State\">federal judge dismissed<\/a> a defamation lawsuit filed against Rep. nancy Mace (R-SC) following her allegations on the House floor accusing Brian Musgrave of sexual abuse and voyeurism.Musgrave, one of four south Carolina men Mace labeled as &#8220;rapists, peeping toms or voyeurs, and sex traffickers,&#8221; denied the accusations and sued Mace for defamation. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel did not rule on whether Mace actually defamed Musgrave but dismissed the case, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thursday-afternoon-update-pence-to-comply-with-j6-subpoena-gop-states-protect-kids-rfk-jr-for-president\/\" title=\"Thursday Afternoon Update: Pence To Comply With J6 Subpoena, GOP States Protect Kids, RFK Jr. For President\">citing constitutional protections<\/a> for lawmakers under the speech or debate clause. The Department of Justice intervened,supporting Mace&#8217;s immunity as she was acting within her official duties. musgrave&#8217;s attorney criticized the ruling, arguing it grants elected officials too much leeway to make unproven accusations with impunity.Mace defended the decision, stating it upholds constitutional law and affirms her commitment to fighting crime and protecting victims. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge throws out defamation suit against Nancy Mace after House floor accusations<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2200120\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A federal judge Wednesday dismissed a defamation case against Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-mace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nancy Mace<\/a> (R-SC).<\/p>\n<p>The case had revolved around Mace accusing a man, Brian Musgrave, of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3316237\/nancy-mace-alleges-sexual-abuse-south-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sexual abuse and voyeurism in a speech on the House floor<\/a> in February. Musgrave sued Mace in March for defamation and has denied the allegations against him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3762501\/marjorie-taylor-greene-says-jasmine-crockett-mistreats-staff-amid-rumors\/\">Marjorie Taylor Greene says Jasmine Crockett mistreats staff amid rumors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3760893\/republicans-use-democratic-threat-impeachment-motivate-trump-voters\/\">Republicans use Democratic threat of impeachment to motivate Trump voters&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3761032\/trump-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-house-gop-allies\/\">Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by House GOP allies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel did not address whether Mace defamed Musgrave but acknowledged that he may not be able to recover damages even if he was defamed.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice had sought to intervene in the case and replace Mace and her staffers as defendants by saying they were acting within the scope of their jobs, which would make them immune.<\/p>\n<p>Gergel, in his ruling, agreed that the DOJ could intervene in the case but on the condition that Mace owed Musgrave damages for violating his constitutional rights. Still, the judge dismissed that claim too, saying it wasn&rsquo;t allowed in defamation cases and that Mace was protected anyway by the Constitution&rsquo;s speech or debate clause.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Congress has weighed the risks and benefits &hellip; and concluded that libel and related claims against federal officials acting within the scope of their employment are barred under federal law. It is this Court&rsquo;s duty to uphold the rule of law,&rdquo; Gergel wrote.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Musgrave was one in a group of four <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Carolina<\/a> men that Mace accused of being &ldquo;rapists, peeping toms or voyeurs, and sex traffickers.&rdquo; His lawsuit had stated that he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nancy-mace-sued-by-man-she-accused-of-sexual-abuse-on-house-floor-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... sued by man she accused of sexual abuse on ... - Washington Examiner\">spent hours telling family<\/a> and friends &ldquo;to let them know that his name and likeness would appear on the floor of Congress and that he would be falsely accused of being a rapist, a predator and a sex trafficker.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Musgrave&rsquo;s attorney, Eric Bland, said in a statement that the move to toss the case allows elected officials to &ldquo;say and do anything they want.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3458858\/house-members-eye-higher-offices-2026-midterms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>HIGHER CALLING: AMBITIOUS HOUSE MEMBERS EYE PROMOTIONS IN THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It seems patently unfair that a United States citizen who lives a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">law-abiding life<\/a> can be grouped and called a rapist and a predator without any proof, and it can be done over and over again with immunity (and impunity),&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Mace hailed the judge&rsquo;s move to dismiss the case: &ldquo;Today the court proved the US Constitution is the LAW OF THE LAND,&rdquo; Mace said in a statement. &ldquo;They came after me because I stood up for victims and demanded crime be prosecuted. Today&rsquo;s court decision proves their lies and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >attacks won&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t break me. I&rsquo;ve put my career on the line to fight crime and drafted legislation to strengthen our laws. And I&rsquo;ll never stop fighting for law and order.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge dismisses defamation suit against Nancy Mace over House speech<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2476879,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25230859665290.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[9142,34480,4585,36794,35392],"class_list":["post-2476878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-defamation","tag-house-floor","tag-lawsuit","tag-legal-ruling","tag-nancy-mace"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25230859665290.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2476878"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2476882,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476878\/revisions\/2476882"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2476879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2476878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2476878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2476878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}