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Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, is dropping out. Moments ago, Ingrassia posted on social media, “I will be withdrawing myself because unfortunately, I do not have enough Republican votes at this time.”
The decision follows reporting from K File, which first covered the story on OutFront. The reports highlighted Ingrassia’s history of making extreme statements, including claiming that straight white men are the most intelligent demographic group. He also shared a 9/11 conspiracy video suggesting that the U.S. government planned or allowed the attacks to happen.
Ingrassia’s withdrawal ends a brief and controversial nomination, which drew criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Extreme Statements and Social Media Controversies
Politico reported last night, following K File’s earlier reporting, that Paul Ingrassia sent text messages in which he allegedly admitted to having a “Nazi streak.” In another message, he claimed that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be ended and “tossed into the seventh circle of hell, where it belongs.”
Andrew Kozinski of OutFront noted that this controversy began with his reporting on Ingrassia’s past statements. Ingrassia has now withdrawn his nomination after Republicans signaled they would not support him.
The revelations about his extreme statements and social media activity contributed to a swift and bipartisan backlash, ending a short-lived and highly controversial nomination.
Paul Ingrassia’s Record
Paul Ingrassia’s history of extreme and conspiratorial statements predates the recent controversy. His podcast and Twitter account called for martial law to keep Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election. He shared 9/11 truther content and defended conspiracy theorist Alex Jones following the Sandy Hook verdict, writing in all caps, “We all stand with Alex Jones.”
Ingrassia described straight white men as the most intelligent demographic group. He also claimed that the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel was a psyop intended to distract from Columbus Day. He attended a rally for white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, later claiming he stumbled upon it accidentally, though he defended Fuentes’ right to post online.
On his podcast, Ingrassia and his co-host called for secession if legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election failed. These past statements and activities contributed to bipartisan criticism and ultimately his withdrawal from the nomination.
Ingrassia Attacks on Political Opponents
Ingrassia also targeted Trump’s political opponents with harsh and racially charged language. He referred to former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley as an “insufferable bitch” and mocked her full name in racially tinged taunts. He also attacked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his wife, and spokeswoman Christina Push, calling them “harlots.”
This represents only a portion of Ingrassia’s controversial record. Many observers have expressed shock that one individual with such statements advanced so far in the nomination process.
Other Trump Nominees Also Withdrawn
Last week, the White House withdrew another nominee, E.J. Anthony, for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Reports revealed that Anthony had shared sexually graphic comments about Vice President Kamala Harris and attended the January 6th protest at the Capitol.
Several other Trump nominees, including Ed Martin, also withdrew amid controversy. These cases highlight a broader pattern: while some nominees advance, others are deemed too extreme even for Republicans aligned with Trump.
It is worth noting that vetting should occur before any nominee reaches this stage. Ingrassia’s extreme statements were public and could have been reviewed before his nomination. The vetting in this case happened only after media reporting. His primary qualification for the nomination was his strong support for Trump in 2024, and he had only recently graduated from college and passed the bar. His credentials were otherwise minimal.
