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Nancy Mace Accuses Cory Mills Stolen Valor: What Are The Allegations? EXPLAINED
South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace has intensified her campaign against fellow GOP lawmaker Cory Mills, entering multiple documents into the congressional record accusing him of “stolen valor” and broader misconduct. The move is part of her ongoing push since 2025 to censure or expel Mills from the House, citing what she describes as “overwhelming” evidence.
Mills has denied wrongdoing, defending his military record and calling Mace’s effort premature and politically motivated.
What Are the Stolen Valor Allegations?
At the center of the dispute are questions surrounding Mills’ Bronze Star, awarded in 2021 for actions in Iraq in 2003.
According to reporting cited by Mace, five individuals who served with Mills disputed his account of the events referenced in the award recommendation. Two soldiers named in the paperwork said Mills was not present during the incident.
“He didn’t save my life,” said Private First Class Joe Heit. “I don’t recall him being there either.”
Retired Brigadier General Arnold Gordon-Bray, who approved the recommendation, said he signed the paperwork as part of a broader administrative process and did not independently verify the specific achievements listed.
Additional claims about Mills’ service, such as alleged time in the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and attendance at Army Sniper School, were reported as uncorroborated by military records reviewed by media outlets.
Mace has framed these discrepancies as “stolen valor,” a term used to describe false or exaggerated claims about military service.
Mills has pushed back, stating, “Cory Mills earned his Bronze Star and the paperwork proves it,” his chief of staff said in a prior response.
Mills himself added that service members do not write their own award recommendations and that such recognitions go through formal review and approval processes.
What Other Allegations Is Cory Mills Facing?
Beyond his military record, Mills is facing multiple investigations and allegations that Mace has cited in her expulsion push.
In 2024, the Office of Congressional Ethics referred allegations related to campaign finance and financial disclosures to the House Ethics Committee. The committee later extended its review, noting that the referral did not indicate wrongdoing.
In February 2025, police opened an investigation into Mills over an alleged physical assault at his Washington, D.C., residence. No charges were filed, and Mills denied the allegations.
Later, a Florida judge issued a restraining order tied to a dating violence complaint from an ex-girlfriend, who accused him of harassment and threats involving explicit material.
Additionally, the House Ethics Committee launched a broader probe into Mills’ conduct, examining campaign finance issues, misuse of congressional resources, improper gifts, and allegations related to sexual misconduct or dating violence.
What Happens Next?
Mace has announced plans to introduce a resolution to expel Mills, arguing that allowing him to remain in Congress undermines accountability. “The swamp has protected Cory Mills for far too long and we are done letting it slide,” Mace said, adding that the issue is about “right and wrong.”
Under the US Constitution, expelling a House member requires a two-thirds majority—an exceptionally high threshold that typically requires bipartisan support.
House leadership has indicated it may wait for the Ethics Committee to complete its investigation before considering any such move, citing due process and precedent.
Mills has rejected the expulsion effort as premature, “I personally think that you should allow due process,” he said, warning that lowering the bar could set a broad and dangerous precedent. He also dismissed the push as “political theatrics” and suggested Mace does not have the votes to succeed.
