Mace says U.S. must ‘project strength’ in face of Chinese aggression in RNC speech

MILWAUKEE (WCBD)- U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) took to the stage at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, urging the nation to unify and “project strength” in the face of rising aggression overseas.

Mace used the opening lines of her remarks to introduce herself to the audience in attendance and at home, sharing parts of her personal story with the audience. She dropped out of high school at 17, worked at Waffle House, and then became the first female cadet to graduate from The Citadel in 1999.

Her speech came on the convention’s third night, which focused on foreign affairs and border security.

She leaned into her military background — and South Carolina’s position as a top veteran-friendly state — as she discussed Chinese aggression and America’s role on the world stage.

“We can never project strength around the world with weakness in the White House,” Mace said, saying that nations like China “see weakness as opportunity.”

“China’s fentanyl invades our borders. Their arms supply Putin’s regime. China supports enemy states like Iran. They oppress their own people, especially women,” she continued.

The congresswoman positioned former President Donald Trump as the best choice for America’s safety, calling him a “strong leader,” before issuing a sort-of warning to foreign adversaries.

“Anyone who thinks they can take on Donald Trump or take down America is now on notice,” she said.

And while Mace’s speech was on-theme, it was not the one she had always planned to give.

She told reporters in a call earlier Wednesday that she changed her speech following the assassination attempt against Trump at a campaign rally Saturday, saying she removed “any mention of Joe Biden.”

Instead, she opted to close out her address with a call for unity, a message she believes is much needed.

“Just as Trump quickly rose to his feet with a defiant fist in the air in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, when we re-elect him as President, America will soon be back on hers,” Mace said. “We will be courageous. We will be united. We will be resilient and we will be prepared to take on the challenges of this moment.”

Mace, who represents South Carolina’s coastal First Congressional District, shares a complicated relationship with the former president.

She has been critical of him in the past and he endorsed her primary opponent during her first reelection bid.

But in January, Mace threw her support behind Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, snubbing former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley who she campaigned with during her first reelection bid.

Trump later returned the favor, calling Mace a “strong, conservative voice” ahead of the June 11 primary, which she won by 27 points.

She is facing Democrat Michael B. Moore in the general election.