Trump’s pick to head the U.S. agency that protects whistleblowers pulled out of the confirmation process after a storm of emails from a former staffer that claimed he had a “Nazi streak.”
Paul Ingrassia, 30, was set to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday about becoming the next director of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC)—the department that shields federal employees who report wrongdoing.
He issued a statement on X saying he was “withdrawing myself from Thursday’s hearing … because I do not have enough Republican votes at this time.” He added that he would keep serving President Trump in the administration.
The drama began when Politico published leaked text messages Ingrassia sent in May 2024 to several Republicans. In the messages, he bragged, “I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.” The words sparked immediate calls to remove his nomination, and the controversy grew as more texts surfaced.
The OSC is a key watchdog office that ensures that federal employees can expose corruption or misconduct without fear of retaliation. The nomination’s wreckage shows how quickly a political scandal can derail a career and shake public trust.
Republican leaders in Washington now face the question: can a nominee with such embarrassing messages lead the whistleblower protection agency? The Senate confirmation process for the OSC position remains uncertain, and the story continues to update as lawmakers weigh the implications for both the administration and the agency’s future.
Source: New York Post
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