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US President Donald Trump's nominee to lead a federal watchdog agency, Paul Ingrassia, has withdrawn following reports that he described himself as having a "Nazi streak." Ingrassia, 30, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday that he was pulling out of a scheduled Senate hearing because "I do not have enough Republican votes at this time." He added: "I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process." The nomination had faced opposition after Politico reported that Ingrassia, in private text messages with Republican operatives and social media influencers, denounced the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, writing it "should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs." He reportedly also called for the end of other holidays celebrating Black culture, including Juneteenth and Black History Month. In another message, Ingrassia said: "I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time," according to Politico, which said it obtained the text chain and confirmed the messages with two participants. Also Read: Young Republicans Leaders at Center of Politico's Explosive Chat Leak Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, called on the White House to withdraw the nomination, saying: "He's not going to pass." Senator Rick Scott of Florida also said he did not support Ingrassia. Ingrassia's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, said the messages could have been manipulated and added that if authentic, they "clearly read as self-deprecating and satirical humor." Senate Democrats condemned the remarks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described the messages as "foul and disqualifying." Ingrassia, a lawyer and former right-wing podcaster, has served in roles at the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security during Trump's second administration and supported the former president's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump nominated him in May to lead the Office of Special Counsel, which investigates claims of retaliation against federal whistleblowers and enforces restrictions on political activity by federal employees. The withdrawal marks one of the few occasions in the Republican-controlled Senate where Trump nominees have been blocked or withdrawn. Previous nominees, including former Representative Matt Gaetz and E.J. Antoni, were also withdrawn before a vote, while others, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, were confirmed despite some Republican opposition. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.
