Trump Special Counsel Nominee Withdraws After Antisemitic Messages Resurface

Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), has withdrawn his nomination following the release of racist and antisemitic messages he allegedly sent in a private group chat, CNN reported.

Two White House officials confirmed Tuesday that Ingrassia was no longer under consideration for the post.

Ingrassia announced his decision in a social media post Tuesday evening, writing, “Unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time.” He expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming support” he had received and promised to “continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!”

His withdrawal came just hours after Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that the White House was expected to withdraw the nomination. “I think they’ll have something official to say about that,” Thune remarked.

Ingrassia, nominated in May to head the independent agency tasked with protecting federal whistleblowers, had been scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday. His prospects faded Monday night after Senator Rick Scott of Florida publicly announced his opposition, saying, “No, I do not support him.” With Scott’s stance and united Democratic opposition, the nomination appeared certain to fail.

The controversy began after Politico published messages allegedly written by Ingrassia in which he described himself as having “a Nazi streak” and said the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.”

Ingrassia’s attorney, Edward Andrew Paltzik, challenged the authenticity of the texts and insisted that, even if real, they were meant as humor. “They clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters ‘Nazis,’” Paltzik said.

Paltzik further claimed that “Mr. Ingrassia has incredible support from the Jewish community” and accused unnamed figures of trying to undermine his client’s nomination through deliberate smears.

Ingrassia, admitted to the bar only last year, previously interned at the White House during Trump’s first term and briefly worked as a liaison at the Justice Department before being reassigned to the Department of Homeland Security.

His nomination had already raised concerns due to earlier statements in which he promoted conspiracy theories, supported calls for martial law after the 2020 election, and made remarks critical of Israel.