Trump’s nomination of Paul Ingrassia loses Republican support following racist text messages

Donald Trump’s nomination of a conservative attorney and commentator to oversee federal whistleblower protections appeared to be collapsing after his racist text messages surfaced this week and the Republican Senate leader suggested the White House should withdraw the pick.

Paul Ingrassia, currently White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, previously advocated for making 6 January a national holiday and publicly questioned whether the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack was a “psyop”. But the fans were flamed again on Monday after Politico reported text messages in which Ingrassia allegedly described himself as having “a Nazi streak” and suggested Martin Luther King Jr Day should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell”.

When reporters asked whether the administration should pull Ingrassia’s nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel, John Thune, the Senate majority leader, responded on Monday: “I think so. He’s not going to pass”.

At least three GOP senators on the homeland security committee indicated they will vote against Ingrassia when his confirmation hearing proceeds on Thursday: Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and James Lankford of Oklahoma.

“I don’t plan on voting for him,” Scott told reporters. “I can’t imagine how anybody can be antisemitic in this country”.

The nominee can afford to lose only three Republican votes on the homeland security committee, which Republicans control by a single seat. Democrats are expected to vote unanimously against confirmation.

Edward Paltzik, an attorney representing Ingrassia, questioned the authenticity of the messages to Politico, and suggested they could be AI-generated. He labeled them as “self-deprecating” and “satirical humor”, adding that his client is “the furthest thing from a Nazi”.

Politico also reported earlier this month that Ingrassia faced a harassment investigation involving a junior colleague, though the complaint was subsequently withdrawn. Paltzik also denied the allegations.

The Office of Special Counsel protects federal employees from retaliation for whistleblowing. While the position can’t prosecute crimes, it can pursue disciplinary action against federal workers.

Joni Ernst, a senator of Iowa, stopped short of outright opposition but said the nominee faces an “uphill battle”. When asked about her biggest concerns, she replied: “Where do I start?”

Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the homeland security committee, said the decision on how to proceed rests with the White House.

“They have to decide if he can go through,” Paul said. “I’ve told them to count the votes”.