President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the federal agency responsible for protecting whistleblowers withdrew his candidacy on Wednesday (October 22) after reports he bragged about having a “Nazi vibe” and made racist remarks in a series of text messages.
Paul Ingrassia, 30, was scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee later this week for his confirmation hearing to head the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent watchdog that investigates whistleblower complaints.
Ingrassia withdraws after losing GOP support
Fatten announced his withdrawal on X (formerly Twitter), citing a lack of Republican support moving forward.
“I will be stepping down from Thursday’s (Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee) hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” Ingrassia wrote.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to make America great again!” he added.
Texts contain disturbing comments
The recall came after Politico published leaked text messages showing Ingrassia boasting about extremist views and offensive remarks about black Americans and civil rights activists.
“I have a Nazi touch from time to time, I’ll admit it,” Ingrassia allegedly wrote in one message sent in May 2024.
In another, he disparaged Martin Luther King Jr. and wrote: “MLK Jr. was the George Floyd of the 1960s and his ‘vacation’ should be ended and thrown into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”
He also allegedly used an Italian-American slur and wrote: “No m——-n holidays… From Kwanzaa (sic) to mlk jr day to black history month until June 16th.”
The defense claims the texts were tampered with
Ingrassia’s lawyer has questioned the authenticity of the leaked lyrics, suggesting they may have been altered or taken out of context. The lawyer claimed that some of the messages were “sarcastic” or “tropical pranks on liberals”.
Despite these denials, the controversy quickly eroded political support for Ingrassia’s nomination, with several Senate Republicans reportedly signaling displeasure with the remarks.
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Vacancy follows the firing of the previous guard dog
The Office of Special Counsel position became vacant in March after President Trump fired former chief Hampton Dellinger.
The agency is charged with investigating and prosecuting executive branch workplace misconduct and protecting federal whistleblowers.
With Ingrassia’s withdrawal, the administration will now have to propose a new nominee to lead the critical watchdog.
Key Points:
Trump’s candidate Paul Ingrassia withdraws amid scandal surrounding racist and extremist texts.
Reports included a self-described “Nazi streak” and attacks on Martin Luther King Jr.
Ingrassia says he missed GOP votes but vows to continue serving Trump.
The OSC post remains vacant following the dismissal of former chief Hampton Dellinger in March.
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