The Republicans Who Denounce Trump Nominee Ingrassia After Leaked Texts

[ad_1] Senate Majority Chief John Thune introduced Monday he hopes the White Home withdraws Paul Ingrassia's nomination to guide the Workplace of Particular Counsel, following Politico's reporting on racist and antisemitic textual content messages Ingrassia exchanged with Republican operatives.

"He is not gonna move," Thune advised reporters.

Not less than three different Senate Republicans have publicly declared opposition to the affirmation of Ingrassia, a nominee of President Donald Trump: Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and James Lankford of Oklahoma. Ingrassia stays scheduled to testify Thursday earlier than the Senate Homeland Safety and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Newsweek reached out to the White Home through e mail on Monday for remark.

Why It Issues The swift Republican defection represents a major political rupture inside GOP ranks over the Trump administration's choice. Underneath Senate guidelines, Ingrassia, White Home liaison to the Division of Homeland Safety, can lose solely three Republican votes earlier than requiring Vice President JD Vance to forged a tiebreaker, assuming unanimous Democratic opposition.

With 4 Republicans now signaling opposition or skepticism, the nomination might face mathematical elimination. GOP senators have already expressed issues about his background, expertise and alleged antisemitism, with one senator delaying Ingrassia's nomination listening to in July, citing issues of hostility towards Jews.

“This massive factor for our state is, he’s had some statements about antisemitism,” Scott stated in a July interview with Politico about Ingrassia.

The report in regards to the textual content messages of Ingrassia, 30, additionally comes only one week after a variety of Younger Republicans had been implicated in a scandal over racist, antisemitic and misogynistic feedback in leaked chat messages.

What To Know Politico reported Monday on a textual content chat that confirmed Ingrassia saying that the Martin Luther King Jr. vacation must be "tossed into the seventh circle of hell" and that he has "a Nazi streak."

Edward Andrew Paltzik, lawyer for Ingrassia, didn't affirm the texts had been genuine and stated they "could possibly be manipulated or are being supplied with materials context omitted," based on the report.

Scott, Johnson and Lankford are all members of the Senate Homeland committee and could have an opportunity to query Ingrassia Thursday—if Ingrassia's affirmation listening to proceeds as deliberate. The senators' opposition comes amid broader issues about Ingrassia's background.

Earlier this month, Politico individually reported that Ingrassia was investigated over a sexual harassment allegation involving a lower-ranking colleague. The peer filed a criticism in opposition to him earlier than retracting it.

A spokesperson for Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, chair of the Senate Homeland panel, referred inquiries to the White Home about what would come subsequent for the nominee. However Paul advised Semafor Monday night that Ingrassia remained on the witness checklist and indicated the following transfer can be as much as the White Home.

What Individuals Are Saying Paltzik added: "Even when the texts are genuine, they clearly learn as self-deprecating and satirical humor making enjoyable of the truth that liberals outlandishly and routinely name MAGA supporters 'Nazis.' In actuality, Mr. Ingrassia has unimaginable assist from the Jewish group as a result of Jews know that Mr. Ingrassia is the furthest factor from a Nazi.

"On this age of AI, authentication of allegedly leaked messages, which could possibly be outright falsehoods, doctored, or manipulated, or missing vital context, is extraordinarily tough."

Scott, to reporters on Monday: "I am not supporting him. I can not think about how anyone might be antisemitic on this nation. It is flawed."

Lankford, additionally to reporters on Monday: "I've tons of questions for him," including that he "cannot think about supporting that."

Paul additionally advised Semafor on Monday: "They should determine if he can undergo. I've advised them to rely the votes … the White Home must decide. I am leaving it as much as them."

<img id="10910808" alt="" caption="WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 20: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (R-SD) speaks to members of the press at the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The government remains shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding deal 20 days ago. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)" captionoverride="U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to the press at the U.S. Capitol on October 20 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4864" height="3242" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2242265329.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> What Occurs Subsequent? Ingrassia's Senate affirmation listening to remains to be scheduled for Thursday, the place he'll probably face intense questioning in regards to the textual content messages and the allegations of antisemitism and sexual harassment.