Paul Ingrassia, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, has abruptly withdrawn his candidacy following the emergence of racist text messages in which he allegedly described himself as having a “Nazi streak.” The scandal has triggered a wave of Republican backlash, leaving Ingrassia without the votes needed to move forward. His resignation marks another blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to install loyalists in key federal oversight roles.
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Racist Texts Spark Outrage
The controversy erupted after Politico published a report on Monday revealing a series of alleged text messages sent by Paul Ingrassia, a White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security. In the messages, he purportedly joked about having a “Nazi streak” and mocked Martin Luther King Jr Day, saying it should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.” The revelations drew swift criticism from both sides of the political aisle, forcing the administration into damage control mode.
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Withdrawal After GOP Defections
Ingrassia announced on Truth Social Tuesday evening that he was withdrawing from Thursday’s Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. “I will be withdrawing myself… because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” he wrote. He thanked supporters and pledged continued service to President Trump, declaring his commitment to “Make America Great Again!” The decision followed a growing chorus of GOP senators signaling opposition to his confirmation.
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Republican Leaders Reject Nominee
The backlash within Republican ranks became clear soon after the Politico report surfaced. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, “I think so. He’s not going to pass,” when asked if the nomination should be pulled. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin was even more direct: “I’m a no. It never should have gotten this far. They ought to pull the nomination.” By late Tuesday, at least five Senate Republicans had publicly opposed Ingrassia, effectively dooming his chances.
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Lawyer Claims Messages Were Fake
Ingrassia’s attorney, Edward Paltzik, defended his client, disputing the authenticity of the text messages. He told Politico the messages might be AI-generated and characterized them as “self-deprecating” and “satirical humor.” Paltzik insisted Ingrassia was “the furthest thing from a Nazi.” Despite the defense, the political fallout proved irreversible, with senators unwilling to risk the optics of supporting a nominee tied to racist rhetoric.
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Previous Misconduct Allegations
Even before the latest scandal, Ingrassia had faced scrutiny from an internal investigation at the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier this month, Politico reported that he had been investigated for canceling a female colleague’s hotel reservation during a work trip and suggesting they share a room. The woman filed a complaint but later retracted it. Ingrassia denied any wrongdoing, but the incident raised questions about his professional judgment ahead of the Senate hearings.
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Trump’s Controversial Appointment Choice
Trump nominated Ingrassia in June to head the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that safeguards federal employees from retaliation for whistleblowing. The pick raised eyebrows even before the scandal, as the position has traditionally been filled by seasoned, nonpartisan attorneys. Ingrassia, only 30, was admitted to the New York bar last year, sparking criticism over his limited experience and partisan background.
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Fallout For The Administration
The collapse of Ingrassia’s nomination adds to a series of controversies surrounding Trump’s personnel choices. The administration’s pattern of appointing loyalists over qualified professionals has drawn bipartisan concern, particularly for roles meant to protect government integrity. With Ingrassia’s exit, the administration faces renewed scrutiny over its vetting process and its handling of politically sensitive appointments.