Donald Trump’s nominee for special counsel, Paul Ingrassia, is facing intense backlash after messages surfaced in which he allegedly described himself as having a “Nazi streak” and called for holidays honoring Black Americans to be “eviscerated.” The leaked group chat messages, reported by Politico, have ignited outrage just days before his Senate confirmation hearing. Ingrassia’s lawyer claims the texts were either manipulated or taken out of context, calling them “self-deprecating and satirical.”
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Offensive Messages Exposed
According to Politico, Ingrassia made the inflammatory remarks in a private group chat with other Republicans earlier this year. He reportedly compared Martin Luther King Jr. to George Floyd, writing: “MLK Jr was the 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.” He also said holidays like Black History Month and Juneteenth should be “eviscerated,” using a racial slur in Italian. These comments have drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights groups and lawmakers alike.
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‘Nazi Streak’ Admission
In another exchange, members of the chat reportedly discussed a Trump campaign staffer who was not “deferential enough” to the founding fathers being white. When one participant said Ingrassia “belongs in the Hitler Youth,” he allegedly replied, “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.” The disturbing admission has raised concerns about Ingrassia’s suitability for public office, particularly in a position that involves upholding ethics and protecting whistleblowers.
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Legal Team Responds
Ingrassia’s attorney, Edward Andrew Paltzik, responded by casting doubt on the authenticity and interpretation of the leaked messages. He told Politico the comments might have been “manipulated or lacking context,” and argued that if genuine, “they clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters ‘Nazis.’” Despite this defense, critics have questioned the appropriateness of such remarks for a federal nominee.
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Role and Background
The 30-year-old nominee has held multiple roles within Trump’s second administration, including as a White House liaison to the Department of Justice before moving to the Department of Homeland Security. Ingrassia was nominated in May to lead the Office of Special Counsel, a powerful position responsible for protecting federal employees from political retaliation. His confirmation hearing, already delayed once, is now expected to face even greater scrutiny following the report.
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Previous Controversies Surface
This is not the first controversy to surround Ingrassia. Politico previously reported that he had been accused of sexual harassment earlier this year, an allegation he dismissed as a “vexatious political attack” and demanded be retracted. His close association with white nationalist figure Nick Fuentes and his history of inflammatory online statements have also drawn sharp criticism from political opponents and advocacy groups.
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Leaked Chat Investigation
The revelations are part of a larger leak involving 2,900 pages of Telegram messages exchanged among young Republican activists. Politico’s investigation found participants making racist remarks, praising Adolf Hitler, and joking about sexual violence. One member, Bobby Walker, recently appointed chair of the New York division, warned others in the chat, “If we ever had a leak of this chat, we would be cooked fr fr.” Following the report, the New York Republican State Committee suspended authorization for its young Republicans chapter.
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Mounting Political Fallout
The controversy has sparked fresh debate over Trump’s vetting process for top appointees and the culture within his political base. As pressure builds ahead of Thursday’s hearing, Senate Democrats are expected to press Ingrassia on his remarks, past behavior, and connections to extremist figures. The White House has not yet commented on the report, but the uproar threatens to derail one of Trump’s more contentious nominations to date.