Nancy Mace Said She Was Pro Trans Rights, Compassion Was ‘Fundamental’... Last Year

The Republican has become the face of the party’s anti-trans crusade, misgendering and mocking a new colleague.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said last year she was “pro-transgender rights” and said compassion was “fundamental” to her politics, comments that stand dramatically different to her current crusade against a future colleague who made history when she was elected as the first trans member of Congress earlier this month.

Mace spoke to CBS News’ Major Garrett in 2023 to discuss several of her political positions at the time as part of the network’s podcast, “The Takeout.” As Republicans were unleashing a string of attacks against transgender Americans — including efforts to bar young trans kids from gender affirming health care and kick them off school sports teams — Mace seemed to urge an unusually progressive stance from others in her party.

“I think in a lot of ways Republicans come across as cold and unfeeling and not compassionate, especially when we’re talking about sensitive issues like gun violence or like abortion,” Mace said at the time. “We come across as so unwavering and unfeeling. I’m a conservative. I’m also a mom.”

Mace has become the face of the GOP’s assault on trans Americans in recent weeks after unveiling a measure to block Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) from using single-sex bathrooms in the Capitol when she heads to Congress in January. While McBride has tried to rise above the attacks, calling them a distraction, Mace has continued to mock her on social media, misgendering her while relishing her time on Fox News.

When Garrett asked Mace last year how her feelings affected her position on transgender rights at the time, Mace said she supported trans people, and said young trans kids should be able to use different pronouns and explore their gender identities.