MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – More than 200 people gathered in Mount Pleasant on Friday to voice their concerns about recent actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration, directing their frustration toward an empty chair reserved for Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. Mace, who is e xploring a possible gubernatorial run in 2026, has faced mounting pressure from constituents in the First Congressional District to hold an in-person town hall.   Organizers hoped Friday’s event would offer that opportunity. "The purpose [was] to have accountability from our representative and for her to hear voices that don't agree with her," said Mount Pleasant Councilwoman GM Whitley.   Whitley and other self-described “concerned citizens” formed the Lowcountry Accountability Alliance in early March, urging Mace to meet face-to-face with those in her district. The group also commissioned digital billboards near the congresswoman’s Daniel Island office with a similar message. One reads “MISSING: NANCY MACE” at the top followed by “LAST SEEN: DODGING CONSTITUENTS.” Mace has rejected their demands, including an invitation to attend the March 28 town hall, blasting the event as “fake news” because it was not authorized by her office.   “I WILL NOT be attending,” Mace said in a March 18 statement. “We’re staying away because it’s not safe, and we refuse to be bulled by individuals who are threatening me, my employees, my constituents and my family.” The event was held at the Mount Pleasant Town Hall complex, where people had to enter through metal detectors and police officers stood inside the room.   Mace further suggested that organizers and attendees were “left-wing extremists” who were paid to be there. Multiple speakers alluded to those comments Friday, including one woman who said she was offended by Mace’s characterization. “I am not a paid political agitator,” said Cindy Pearcy. “I would like to tell Nancy, if she were here, that I am offended that she thinks that we are, all of us. We need to treat each other with a lot more respect than that, especially right now." One after the other, more than two dozen constituents rose to address a variety of issues. After nearly each one, the room applauded as attendees waved American flags and pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution. Some voiced concerns about possible cuts to social security, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs, while others said they worried about what would happen if the Department of Education were shut down. "We need the department's programs that defend students' civil rights and ensure students with disabilities and low-income students receive the educational support they need," said Char Fitzwater, a retired university professor. "Nancy Mace, please defend our public education system," she pleaded. One person, Christine Kitch, offered a more personal perspective about the impact of rhetoric coming from top administration officials.   Kitch’s brother, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder, was recently arrested for damaging Tesla charging stations in North Charleston by throwing homemade Molotov cocktails at them. He faces federal charges and up to 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi labeled attacks against the company as “domestic terrorism,” and Trump suggested in a March 21 post on Truth Social that those vandalizing Telsa dealerships should be sent to an El Salvadorian prison. “My family is devastated to hear our president mocking my brother’s due process,” Kitch said. “He is 24 years old. Who among us can say at 24 years old we did not have political passions and to not expect that our adult leadership would actually care about us.” “What he may have done is wrong, but for God's sake, he deserves American rights,” she added. And though their fears and frustrations ranged, one common directive emerged: Do your job.   Only one person spoke in Mace’s defense, Becky Brouwer. “Nancy Mace is District 1’s representative. She’s your representative,” Brouwer said, prompting shouts of “Where is she?” from the crowd. “So far, everything I’ve heard tonight could be a yelling feast.” Emily Collins offered a direct retort.    “Our congresspeople are adults,” said Collins. “They should be able to take a little bit of negative criticism. Republican lawmakers across the country are opting to skip in-person town halls amid the public backlash over the Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency’s push to drastically slash the size of the federal government. After heated exchanges between congressional Republicans and constituents in their hometowns surfaced online, National Republican Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-NC) urged House members not to engage in in-person events altogether. Mace's office said in a previous statement that she will continue to hold "legitimate, official town halls," but no plans for one have been made publicly available. The event concluded with a collective rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Whitley said her group plans to compile the questions and concerns presented during the town hall, as well as those submitted ahead of the event, into a report to give to Mace’s office.   ...read more read less