President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Special Counsel announced on Tuesday that he withdrew from his Senate confirmation hearing after losing too many Republican votes over his leaked texts.
Paul Ingrassia was scheduled to testify in front of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) cast doubt on the nominee’s confirmation in light of Ingrassia’s alleged remarks in a group chat, saying, “He’s not going to pass.”
After Thune called on Trump to drop his nominee, Ingrassia made the decision himself.
“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 posted on Truth Social. “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!”
On Monday, Ingrassia was accused of making several inflammatory remarks in a group chat with fellow Republicans. In one text message, he denigrated the federal holiday for civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and, in another, admitted he had a “Nazi streak.” The leaked messages were reported by Politico, which covered a similar group chat involving Young Republican leaders last week.
In response to the latest report, Thune and several Republican senators urged Trump to recall Ingrassia because he wouldn’t be approved anyway.
THUNE URGES TRUMP TO DROP NOMINEE WHO ALLEGEDLY MADE RACIST REMARKS IN LEAKED CHAT
Ingrassia could not lose more than three GOP votes if all Democrats opposed his confirmation. At least three Republicans — Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and James Lankford (R-OK) — said they would not vote in favor of Ingrassia.
His confirmation hearing for the watchdog role was previously delayed in July as Senate Republicans raised concerns over his limited legal experience and history of incendiary remarks.