Paul Ingrassia Loses GOP Support After Controversial Messages Surface
Donald Trump’s nomination of Paul Ingrassia to lead the Office of Special Counsel is on the verge of collapse after the discovery of racist and inflammatory text messages prompted Republican senators to withdraw their support. Ingrassia, a conservative attorney and current White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, was already a controversial figure for his right-wing commentary—but the recent revelations appear to have ended his confirmation prospects.
According to a Politico report, Ingrassia allegedly described himself as having “a Nazi streak” and said Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.” The remarks triggered widespread backlash on Capitol Hill, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggesting that the White House withdraw the nomination altogether.
“I think so. He’s not going to pass,” Thune told reporters on Monday when asked if Trump should pull the nominee.
Key Republicans Turn Against the Nominee
At least three GOP senators on the Homeland Security Committee—Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and James Lankford of Oklahoma—have publicly stated they will vote against Ingrassia during his upcoming confirmation hearing.
“I don’t plan on voting for him,” Scott said. “I can’t imagine how anybody can be antisemitic in this country.”
With Republicans holding a one-seat majority on the committee, Ingrassia can afford to lose no more than three GOP votes. Given that Democrats are expected to oppose him unanimously, his confirmation is now considered highly unlikely.
White House Response and Legal Defense
Ingrassia’s attorney, Edward Paltzik, questioned the authenticity of the leaked messages and suggested they may have been generated using artificial intelligence. He characterized them as “self-deprecating” and “satirical humor,” adding that his client “is the furthest thing from a Nazi.”
However, this is not the first controversy tied to Ingrassia’s name. Earlier this month, Politico also reported that he was the subject of a workplace harassment investigation involving a junior colleague—a complaint that was later withdrawn. Paltzik denied all allegations related to that case as well.
Senators Express Deep Concern
Several senators have expressed concern over Ingrassia’s fitness for the role. Iowa Republican Joni Ernst described the confirmation process as “an uphill battle.” Asked to elaborate on her concerns, she replied, “Where do I start?”
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, noted that the White House now faces a decision on whether to move forward. “They have to decide if he can go through,” Paul said. “I’ve told them to count the votes.”
The Office of Special Counsel is a critical federal agency that protects government employees from retaliation for whistleblowing and ensures accountability within federal departments. While it cannot prosecute criminal cases, it plays a vital role in pursuing disciplinary action against officials who violate federal laws.
For now, Ingrassia’s nomination appears all but doomed—a rare case of bipartisan opposition in a deeply divided Senate, and a clear signal that even loyal Republicans are unwilling to defend a nominee engulfed in allegations of racism and extremism.
