Paul Ingrassia, the Trump nominee under heavy scrutiny for racist and extremist messages, has officially pulled out of his confirmation hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel.
“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,” Ingrassia said in a statement released Tuesday.
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.
I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to…
— Paul Ingrassia (@PaulIngrassia) October 21, 2025
His decision follows the fallout from leaked group texts where Ingrassia called Martin Luther King Jr. Day a “holiday that should be tossed into the seventh circle of hell,” said he had “a Nazi streak,” and mocked several Black American holidays.
Despite the backlash, Ingrassia offered gratitude to his supporters, writing, “I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!”
The move marks a swift unraveling of Ingrassia’s nomination just days after the offensive texts surfaced.
