Trump Nominee Paul Ingrassia Withdraws After Racist Text Messages Spark Outrage
US President Donald Trump ’s nominee, Paul Ingrassia , has withdrawn his name from consideration to lead the Office of Special Counsel after racist text messages allegedly sent by him surfaced earlier this week. The controversy triggered a storm of criticism not only from Democrats but also from several Republican senators , who distanced themselves from the nominee.
According to Politico, Ingrassia reportedly shared a series of racist and offensive messages in a text group with other Republicans. Among them, he allegedly wrote, “Never trust an Indian,” and said that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.”
Facing mounting opposition, Ingrassia announced on social media that he was withdrawing from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing, referring to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which was set to review his nomination.
“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.
Despite the uproar, Ingrassia expressed gratitude for his supporters and pledged to continue working with Trump’s team.
“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!” he added.
The leaked messages, as reported by Politico, show Ingrassia making deeply offensive comments about minority groups. He allegedly compared Martin Luther King Jr. to George Floyd, calling him “the 1960s George Floyd,” and added that his holiday should be “ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”
In another message, he reportedly said one should “never trust a Chinaman or Indian” and even admitted to having “a Nazi streak from time to time.”
These remarks sparked outrage across party lines, with several Republican senators reportedly informing the White House that they could not support his nomination following the revelations.
Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, has questioned the authenticity of the messages, suggesting they could have been AI-generated or manipulated.
He further claimed that if the texts were genuine, they were intended as “self-deprecating and satirical humour.”
However, the explanation has done little to calm the uproar, as critics called the remarks unacceptable for anyone seeking a public office, especially one meant to handle issues of ethics and accountability.
The controversy comes at a delicate moment for Trump’s second administration-in-waiting, with several of his nominees facing scrutiny even before formal confirmation hearings. The Office of Special Counsel, which Ingrassia was set to head, is a watchdog agency responsible for protecting whistleblowers and ensuring government integrity — a role critics say is incompatible with his alleged conduct.
While the White House has not officially commented, insiders suggest Trump may now seek a “less controversial” replacement to avoid further embarrassment.
Paul Ingrassia’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale in modern politics — a reminder that words, even in private chats, can derail public ambitions. His withdrawal underscores how digital footprints and personal prejudices can swiftly unravel high-profile careers, especially in an era where accountability is demanded across party lines.
According to Politico, Ingrassia reportedly shared a series of racist and offensive messages in a text group with other Republicans. Among them, he allegedly wrote, “Never trust an Indian,” and said that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.”
Withdrawal After Backlash
Facing mounting opposition, Ingrassia announced on social media that he was withdrawing from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing, referring to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which was set to review his nomination.
“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.
Despite the uproar, Ingrassia expressed gratitude for his supporters and pledged to continue working with Trump’s team.
“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!” he added.
Racist Remarks Under Fire
The leaked messages, as reported by Politico, show Ingrassia making deeply offensive comments about minority groups. He allegedly compared Martin Luther King Jr. to George Floyd, calling him “the 1960s George Floyd,” and added that his holiday should be “ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”
In another message, he reportedly said one should “never trust a Chinaman or Indian” and even admitted to having “a Nazi streak from time to time.”
These remarks sparked outrage across party lines, with several Republican senators reportedly informing the White House that they could not support his nomination following the revelations.
Lawyer Denies Authenticity
Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, has questioned the authenticity of the messages, suggesting they could have been AI-generated or manipulated.
He further claimed that if the texts were genuine, they were intended as “self-deprecating and satirical humour.”
However, the explanation has done little to calm the uproar, as critics called the remarks unacceptable for anyone seeking a public office, especially one meant to handle issues of ethics and accountability.
Political Fallout
The controversy comes at a delicate moment for Trump’s second administration-in-waiting, with several of his nominees facing scrutiny even before formal confirmation hearings. The Office of Special Counsel, which Ingrassia was set to head, is a watchdog agency responsible for protecting whistleblowers and ensuring government integrity — a role critics say is incompatible with his alleged conduct.
While the White House has not officially commented, insiders suggest Trump may now seek a “less controversial” replacement to avoid further embarrassment.
Paul Ingrassia’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale in modern politics — a reminder that words, even in private chats, can derail public ambitions. His withdrawal underscores how digital footprints and personal prejudices can swiftly unravel high-profile careers, especially in an era where accountability is demanded across party lines.
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