Dems demand Trump pull watchdog workplace nominee after reported 'racist' texts

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Democrats in Congress referred to as on President Trump to withdraw his nominee to steer the Workplace of Particular Counsel (OSC) after a brand new report uncovered textual content messages wherein the nominee purportedly denounced the Martin Luther King Jr. vacation and admitted to having a “Nazi streak in me every so often.”

Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (Calif.) — the highest Democrats on the Home Homeland Safety Committee and the Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee, respectively — wrote a letter to the president on Monday urging him to dismiss Paul Ingrassia from federal service and to withdraw his nomination.

Ingrassia’s Senate affirmation listening to is scheduled for Thursday.

The pair of high-ranking Democrats pointed to the “racist messages” reported by Politico on Monday, which included allegations about previous ties between Ingrassia, a former podcast host, and white nationalist Nick Fuentes. In addition they pointed to previous reporting indicating Ingrassia was the topic of a sexual harassment investigation on the Division of Homeland Safety, the place he serves because the White Home liaison. The lady who filed the preliminary sexual harassment criticism later withdrew it, Politico reported.

“Mr. Ingrassia’s misconduct renders his continued employment as a White Home liaison to the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) harmful for girls, and his proposed promotion to function Particular Counsel demeans the workplace and is insulting to the American individuals,” Thompson and Garcia wrote within the letter, addressed to the president.

The Democrats famous a number of examples of textual content messages uncovered within the Politico report that they described as problematic.

“I do have a Nazi streak in me every so often, I'll admit it,” Ingrassia allegedly wrote in a single message. In one other, he allegedly wrote, “By no means belief a chinaman or Indian.”

“We want competent white males in positions of management … The founding fathers have been mistaken that each one males are created equal … We have to reject that a part of our heritage,” Ingrassia wrote in a collection of messages, in response to Politico.

“Finally, Mr. Ingrassia is biased and incapable of pretty and even-handedly implementing the regulation,” the Democrats wrote within the letter.

In a separate assertion, Thompson added: “It’s shameful that somebody underneath investigation for harassment—and now uncovered for sending racist messages—could be rewarded with a promotion. President Trump should instantly withdraw his nomination and take away him from authorities service.”

Edward Andrew Paltzik, Ingrassia’s legal professional, didn't verify the authenticity of the message however nonetheless steered they have been made lightheartedly.

“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,” Paltzik advised Politico, in an announcement confirmed to The Hill.

“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,” he added.

Within the letter to Trump, the Democrats additionally centered closely on the alleged sexual harassment incident, which they famous was investigated by the DHS Inspector Basic and White Home Workplace of Presidential Personnel and resulted within the non permanent revocation of Ingrassia’s badge and entry to DHS headquarters.

Ingrassia’s nomination “demonstrates the Trump administration’s contempt for the protection of ladies within the office and is a slap within the face to each American who values justice and integrity within the federal advantage system,” the Democrats wrote.

Paltzik denied the sexual harassment allegations utterly, writing, “Mr. Ingrassia has by no means harassed any coworkers — feminine or in any other case, sexually or in any other case — in reference to any employment."

Thompson and Garcia referred to as Ingrassia “wholly unfit to steer” OSC, which handles delicate issues, together with federal whistleblower complaints and discrimination claims.

They famous that Ingrassia, at 30, “solely just lately graduated regulation college has much less authorized expertise than lots of the individuals who apply for entry-level positions on the group he's nominated to steer.”

“To start rebuilding the integrity of DHS and OSC, Mr. Ingrassia have to be dismissed from federal service and his nomination to function Particular Counsel have to be withdrawn instantly,” the Democrats wrote. “Mr. Ingrassia’s employment and nomination are affronts to girls, individuals of coloration, and the American public. We sit up for the immediate withdrawal of this unqualified and harmful nominee.”

The White Home didn't reply to a request for remark.

In July, Ingrassia was slated for a affirmation listening to earlier than the Senate Homeland Safety and Authorities Affairs Committee, however his identify was quietly faraway from the agenda. On the time, the White Home stated it was not withdrawing his nomination.

“Paul Ingrassia remains to be the nominee and is at the moment serving in his function as White Home Liaison to the Division of Homeland Safety. He'll spend the subsequent month talking with Senators and we anticipate him to be swiftly confirmed. The President has full confidence in him and his skill to steer the Workplace of Particular Counsel,” an administration official advised The Hill then.