(The Hill) — Paul Ingrassia on Tuesday withdrew his nomination to be the head of the Office of Special Counsel after he reportedly referred to himself as having a “Nazi streak,” among other racist comments.
“I will be withdrawing myself from Thursday’s [Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee] hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” Ingrassia posted on Truth Social.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!” Ingrassia wrote.
Ingrassia’s announcement came after several Senate Republicans on the panel reviewing his nomination said they would not support him, calling into question whether he would be able to secure sufficient backing.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had told reporters Monday that the White House should consider withdrawing Ingrassia’s nomination.
“He’s not going to pass,” Thune said.
Politico initially reported the comments made by Ingrassia on Monday. The outlet reported that Ingrassia, in a text thread, called for the end of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and said you can “never trust a chinaman or Indian.”
Others in the group chat challenged him, to which he reportedly replied, “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.” He also stressed the need to have “competent white men in positions of leadership.”
On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on Trump to withdraw the nomination.
“These texts are foul and disqualifying,” Schumer said Tuesday on the Senate floor. “And it’s hard to believe there is any process in any White House that would allow such a man through to be nominated.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) also called on Trump to withdraw his nomination of Ingrassia. Raskin also referred to Politico’s reporting that Ingrassia was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint after allegedly secretly canceling a female co-worker’s hotel room and then telling her she would need to stay with him.
“We have known for months that Mr. Ingrassia lacks any relevant qualifications, having graduated from law school just three years ago,” Raskin said.
“We also know he was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint in June and that he openly admires Nick Fuentes — a rabidly antisemitic right-wing leader, Holocaust denier, and white nationalist. You chose to hire and promote Mr. Ingrassia despite all that — or perhaps even because of it.”
While the announcement ends Ingrassia’s bid for a Senate-confirmed role, he remains a White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security — and a fact that doesn’t sit well with critics.
Schumer, after Ingrassia’s withdrawal, took to X to urge Trump to rid him from his DHS role.
“This isn’t anywhere near enough,” Schumer said of Ingrassia’s announcement. “Trump has to fire him immediately.”
When contacted by the Associated Press after Ingrassia’s withdrawal, a representative for the White House only told the outlet, “He is no longer the nominee.”
