Trump Faces Calls to Withdraw Paul Ingrassia Nomination Over Racist Texts

Paul Ingrassia, President Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, has withdrawn from consideration following widespread backlash over racist, antisemitic, and inflammatory comments he made in a private GOP chat, including admitting to having a "Nazi streak" and calling for the abolition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. His nomination faced bipartisan criticism, with several Republican senators, including John Thune, Rick Scott, and Ron Johnson, opposing him, making his confirmation unlikely. Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Jamie Raskin also condemned Ingrassia, highlighting his lack of qualifications and previous sexual harassment allegations related to an incident involving a female colleague's hotel room cancellation. The controversy intensified as leaked messages revealed his disparaging remarks about minority groups and his expressed desire for "competent white men" in leadership roles. These revelations led to the cancellation of his confirmation hearing and calls from Senate leaders for the White House to withdraw his nomination. The ongoing investigation into his conduct and the widespread denunciation have effectively ended his chances of leading the OSC, a role critical for overseeing government ethics and whistleblower protections.