President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead a federal watchdog has withdrawn from consideration after racist and hateful messages he allegedly sent were exposed.
Paul Ingrassia, 30, allegedly admitted that he had a “Nazi streak” and sent racial slurs in a group chat with fellow Republicans.
“I will be withdrawing myself from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” Ingrassia posted in an online message.
Ingrassia, the current White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security, said he would “continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!”
The Daily Beast understands that Ingrassia is officially no longer Trump’s nominee to lead the independent agency.
At least five GOP Senators said they would not support Ingrassia’s nomination after Politico reported the text messages on Monday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday that he hoped Trump would withdraw the nomination.
Ingrassia’s confirmation process had already been delayed in July over his alleged ties to antisemitism and online extremism, having been associated with figures such as white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
The White House liaison’s text messages, sent throughout 2024, appeared to provide a chilling glimpse of his views.
According to Politico, Ingrassia had texted, “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.” One of the people in the text group told Politico that Ingrassia’s comment was not taken as a joke and drew pushback from others.
In January 2024, Ingrassia allegedly wrote, “MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”
During a discussion on why some Republicans believe Democrats portray Black Americans as victims, he allegedly texted, “Blacks behave that way because that’s their natural state … You can’t change them.”
In a previous statement to the Daily Beast, Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, had questioned the authenticity of the text messages, which were verified by Politico.
“Even if the texts are authentic, they clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters ‘Nazis.’ In reality, Mr. Ingrassia has incredible support from the Jewish community because Jews know that Mr. Ingrassia is the furthest thing from a Nazi,” he wrote.
“In this age of AI, authentication of allegedly leaked messages, which could be outright falsehoods, doctored, or manipulated, or lacking critical context, is extremely difficult.”
Ingrassia was set to appear before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday for his confirmation hearing.
But by Tuesday, Republican Sens. Rick Scott, James Lankford, Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, as well as Thune signaled that they would oppose his confirmation.
Ingrassia was already facing scrutiny when the messages were exposed. Politico revealed earlier this month that the Trump-nominee was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint in July, though it has since been withdrawn.
Ingrassia has denied any wrongdoing, pinning a statement from Paltzik to his X profile.
“Politico’s hit piece about Mr. Ingrassia is calculated to cause maximum harm to his promising career—and torpedo his nomination for Special Counsel,” the statement reads. “This vexatious political attack masquerading as ‘journalism’ is defamatory and will be addressed in forthcoming litigation.”
The special counsel’s office investigates discrimination and whistleblower complaints from federal employees, as well as allegations of political interference in the civil service.
While the independent agency has historically been led by lawyers with decades of experience, Ingrassia was only admitted to the New York bar last year and had faced question about his lack of experience from senators.
NOTUS reported Tuesday that Ingrassia’s mother, Donna Gallo Ingrassia, 61, had attempted to boost her son’s confirmation over the summer by personally visiting the offices of Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia, who had expressed “grave concern” over Ingrassia’s views.
Donna expressed her support for her son’s bid to serve as special counsel in comments to NOTUS.
“Paul has a lot of congressional and senatorial support,” she said. “He has tremendous support from Jewish leaders, and the Catholic community. Paul is articulate, intelligent, and wise beyond his years. He has strong family support and leads a life of faith, integrity and virtue. Very loyal.”
“Outcome: God’s will 🙏,” she concluded.
The Democratic Party’s official X account trolled Ingrassia after he announced his withdrawal, replying, “We’re sure your mom is devastated :/”
The Daily Beast has reached out to DHS and the White House to clarify whether Ingrassia will continue to serve as White House liaison.
