Washington: Paul Ingrassia, former nominee of US President Donald Trump for the post of head of the Office of Special Counsel, has withdrawn his name from consideration following a political storm over alleged racist text messages. The decision comes after several Republican senators reportedly refused to support his nomination amid mounting backlash.
Racist texts spark outrage
The controversy erupted earlier this week after Politico published screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by Ingrassia in a group chat with other Republicans. In the messages, he reportedly said, “Never trust an Indian” and that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.”
He also allegedly wrote that “MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd” and added that he had “a Nazi streak” from time to time. The remarks triggered widespread criticism, including from members of his own party.
According to Politico, the texts were shared in a private thread that included several prominent Republicans. Following the revelations, senior GOP lawmakers stated they could not support his nomination.
Withdrawal and statement
Ingrassia announced his withdrawal on Tuesday, citing insufficient Republican backing in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC).
“I will be withdrawing myself from Thursday’s HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time,” he posted on social media.
He added, “I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout the process and will continue to serve President Trump and the administration to Make America Great Again!”
Despite the withdrawal, Ingrassia reiterated his loyalty to the Trump administration and said he would continue supporting its political objectives.
Legal defence and denial
Ingrassia’s lawyer, Edward Paltzik, has since questioned the authenticity of the texts, suggesting that they could have been AI-generated. Paltzik also said that even if genuine, the remarks were intended as “self-deprecating and satirical humour” rather than serious statements.
However, the explanation failed to calm the outrage. Several civil rights organisations and lawmakers criticised both the content and tone of the messages, calling them “deeply racist and unbecoming of a public office nominee.”
Political fallout
The episode marks another controversy for Trump’s administration, which has faced repeated criticism over racially charged remarks by some of its nominees and officials. Analysts noted that the scandal undermined Republican efforts to broaden their voter base ahead of the next election cycle.
Democratic leaders demanded accountability and urged the administration to ensure that individuals nominated to senior offices uphold the values of equality and respect.
Meanwhile, the HSGAC confirmed that the hearing scheduled for Thursday would proceed with other agenda items but without consideration of Ingrassia’s nomination.
Conclusion
With his withdrawal, Paul Ingrassia’s nomination process has effectively ended, though questions about the authenticity of his alleged texts remain unresolved. His exit highlights the growing scrutiny over digital conduct and the use of technology-generated misinformation in US politics.