Republicans Withdraw Trump Nominee Amid 'Nazi Streak' Controversy

Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel—a key investigative body protecting government whistleblowers and enforcing ethics laws—is facing significant opposition within the Republican-controlled Senate after leaked texts revealed inflammatory and racist remarks, including calling the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday "a holiday that should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell." The texts also included Ingrassia admitting to having "a Nazi streak," prompting Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Rick Scott to publicly oppose his confirmation and call for the White House to withdraw the nomination. Ingrassia's past includes serving as a White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security and publicly supporting controversial figures, further fueling concerns about his suitability. Additional allegations include a sexual harassment probe related to a work trip, intensifying scrutiny. Despite Ingrassia's lawyer claiming the texts were satirical or taken out of context, the controversy has led to a rare instance of Republican pushback against a Trump nominee. This controversy reflects broader tensions within the GOP as some senators draw a line against nominees with extremist or offensive views.