Overview
- Politico published screenshots and participant accounts attributing texts to Paul Ingrassia in which he said he has a "Nazi streak" and called for scrapping Black-focused holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Ingrassia’s lawyer questioned the authenticity and context of the messages, suggesting possible manipulation and describing the remarks as satirical, while declining to concede they are genuine.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said "he’s not going to pass," and Republican committee members Rick Scott and Ron Johnson said they will not support Ingrassia, with James Lankford expressing serious doubts and Rand Paul pointing the decision to the White House.
- Despite the backlash, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee still lists a Thursday confirmation hearing and the White House has not withdrawn the nomination.
- House Democrats Bennie Thompson and Robert Garcia urged President Trump to pull the nominee, citing the reported texts, prior scrutiny over a DHS harassment inquiry, and concerns about fitness to lead the whistleblower watchdog.