Overview
- Politico published messages in which Paul Ingrassia allegedly said he has a “Nazi streak,” derided Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and used slurs, with parts of the exchange confirmed by participants.
- John Thune declared Ingrassia “not going to pass,” and Republican Sens. Rick Scott, Ron Johnson, and James Lankford signaled opposition or urged the White House to pull the pick.
- The confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thursday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where a single GOP defection alongside united Democrats could block advancement.
- Ingrassia’s attorney questioned the texts’ authenticity, suggested they may be manipulated or AI-altered, and described the remarks as self-deprecating, satirical humor.
- The Office of Special Counsel safeguards federal whistleblowers and civil-service rules, and the revelations compound prior scrutiny of Ingrassia’s record, including a withdrawn harassment complaint and ties to far-right figures.