President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, is facing mounting Republican opposition following the release of racist and offensive text messages attributed to him, Politico reported.
Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) have publicly withdrawn support, urging the White House to reconsider the nomination. Both senators cited Ingrassia’s inflammatory messages and prior allegations of sexual harassment as disqualifying factors.
EXCLUSIVE: Embattled Trump nominee Paul Ingrassia told Republicans that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell” and that he has “a Nazi streak,” according to a group chat viewed by POLITICO.https://t.co/BHSud48VAh
— POLITICO (@politico) October 20, 2025
Despite the backlash, Ingrassia remains scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday, though his confirmation is now in serious jeopardy.
Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the decision to proceed rests with the White House, noting that “they have to count the votes.”
BREAKING: new racist Republican groupchat has been leaked to Politico featuring texts from Paul Ingrassia, Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel.
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) October 20, 2025
Ingrassia’s texts include vile pro-Nazi & racist messages targeting Black people, Chinese people, and Indian people. pic.twitter.com/bxy5ZKdPQn
The pushback marks a rare instance of Senate Republicans breaking with President Trump over a personnel choice, highlighting growing unease about the administration’s vetting process and its handling of controversial appointments.
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TIPP Staff
