Paul Ingrassia, US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead a federal watchdog agency, has withdrawn his name from consideration after a series of racist and pro-Nazi comments surfaced online. His decision came just days before his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs (HSGAC).
Leaked Messages Spark Controversy
The controversy began when Politico published leaked text messages showing Ingrassia making racist remarks. In the messages, he reportedly said the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.” He also made a slur about former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, writing, “Never trust a chinaman or Indian.”
The leak also revealed Ingrassia referring to himself as having “a Nazi streak” at times. The remarks quickly drew condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, including several of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate.
Who Is Paul Ingrassia?
Paul Joseph Ingrassia is an American attorney and political commentator. In 2025, he served as the White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security and previously held a similar role at the Department of Justice.
He studied mathematics and economics at Fordham University and earned a law degree from Cornell Law School, where he worked as a senior online editor for the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy.
Ingrassia is known for his conservative political views and has written for outlets such as National Review and The Daily Caller. He also co-hosted a podcast and gained a following among Trump supporters for his outspoken commentary.
Ingrassia Withdraws Nomination
Following the backlash, Ingrassia announced his withdrawal in an online statement on Tuesday.
“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,” he wrote.
He added, “I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout the process and will continue to serve President Trump and the administration to Make America Great Again!”
Republicans Distance Themselves
Several Republican senators expressed disapproval over the leaked comments. Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly urged the White House to withdraw the nomination, saying the remarks were unacceptable. His statement indicated a rare moment of division within the GOP, which has mostly supported Trump’s picks for key government roles.
Despite Trump’s ability to advance most nominees despite Democratic opposition, this case exposed internal resistance among Republican ranks.
A Pattern of Withdrawals
Ingrassia’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Trump administration’s high-profile nominations. Recently, the White House paused the judicial nomination of former Florida Deputy Attorney General John Guard amid an investigation involving a charity linked to him.
Last month, Trump also withdrew the nomination of economist E.J. Antoni to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics over concerns about his qualifications and partisanship. Earlier this year, Dave Weldon’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was also pulled.
The string of withdrawals has raised questions about vetting processes within the administration, especially as Trump continues to face scrutiny over his appointments.
