A recent court filing has brought to light an email sent by U.S. Representative Nancy Mace to a judge, in which she mentions an invitation to the White House from the President. This communication emerged during the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed against Mace by her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant.
Details of the Email and Court Proceedings
The email, dated March 9th, appears to have been sent by Representative Mace to the judge presiding over the defamation case. Mace was explaining her inability to attend a court hearing scheduled for later that month. She stated that she would be “OCONUS,” an acronym for Outside the Continental United States, and chose not to disclose her exact location due to concerns about her safety and trust in opposing counsel.
In the email, Mace wrote, “Won’t say where, as I don’t trust counsel with my life or my safety. If I’m back in time, I’ll be at White House Thursday upon the invitation of the President.” This mention of a presidential invitation has become a focal point of discussion surrounding the legal battle.
At the time of sending the email, Mace indicated her intention to hire legal representation after initially representing herself in the proceedings. She humorously remarked, “while I have thoroughly enjoyed being pro se, so much so it’s made me want to go to law school, I will not be able to be present Thursday.” She expressed optimism about her legal team, stating, “Hopefully, my bit with new attorneys is open and shut. Should be open and shut. Easy to wash your hands of it, judge and extricate yourself from the mess counsel has created.”
Concluding her message with a blend of formality and a touch of wit, Mace added, “Sincerely and most respectfully, It’s been real and I’ll miss this email thread and will miss preparing those pleadings myself. You should hear something soon.”
The email also contained a pointed remark directed at the opposing counsel, who were copied on the message. Mace urged the judge, “Please, no last-minute shenanigans. Judge Hocker please take special care with all of their nonsense. It’s insane they behave like kangaroos in your honorable court.”
The judge, identified as Judge Hocker, responded to Mace’s email, seeking clarification. The judge’s reply read, “Rep. Mace: I am a little confused. Are you asking for a continuance? Will you have counsel on board by Thursday?” This exchange highlights the judge’s attempt to manage the court’s schedule and ensure proper legal representation.
Background of the Defamation Lawsuit
The legal dispute originated in November 2025 when Patrick Bryant initiated a defamation lawsuit against Representative Nancy Mace. Bryant alleges that Mace falsely accused him of sexually assaulting a woman in October 2018 and videotaping the incident, without providing any proof to substantiate these claims.
Prior to the legal proceedings, Mace and Bryant were engaged to be married. Their relationship reportedly ended before November 2023. According to Bryant’s claims, Mace developed paranoia in the fall of 2023, suspecting him of dating other women. He further alleged that Mace took his phone and copied photographs from his device, which she then intended to use against him.
Implications and Context
The revelation of this email adds another layer to the already complex legal and personal entanglement between Mace and Bryant. The mention of a presidential invitation, while potentially intended to explain her absence or perhaps add weight to her situation, could be interpreted in various ways within the context of the court case. Legal experts often advise against extraneous information in court communications, as it can sometimes distract from the core legal arguments or be perceived negatively by the court.
The fact that Mace was initially representing herself (
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