Trump Nominee Allegedly Admits to Having a 'Nazi Streak' in Leaked Texts
Paul Ingrassia's official portrait, 2025. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Public domain.
A trove of leaked group-chat messages has thrust Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the US Office of Special Counsel, into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. According to a POLITICO report published in October 2025, Ingrassia allegedly admitted to having "a Nazi streak" in a private text exchange with fellow Republicans. The messages also reportedly reveal a series of racist and extremist remarks, raising serious questions about the suitability of a man nominated to oversee federal whistleblower protections and discrimination claims.
A Nominee's Controversial Texts
The leaked texts, shared with POLITICO by a participant in the chat who wished to remain anonymous, show Ingrassia engaging in inflammatory conversations with a small group of Republican operatives and influencers. In one message from early 2024, Ingrassia reportedly wrote that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be "ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs," comparing MLK Jr. to George Floyd and dismissing the holiday as undeserving of recognition, as reported by POLITICO.
The texts go further. Ingrassia allegedly used an Italian slur for Black people and called for the evisceration of holidays honoring Black heritage, including Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and Juneteenth. "Every single one needs to be eviscerated," he wrote, according to the chat, as reported by POLITICO.
The 'Nazi Streak' Admission
The most jarring revelation came during a discussion about a Trump campaign staffer in Georgia who was working on outreach to minority voters. Ingrassia allegedly suggested the staffer did not show enough deference to the Founding Fathers being white. Another participant responded by saying Ingrassia "belongs in the Hitler Youth with Ubergruppenfuhrer Steve Bannon," according to POLITICO, referencing Nazi paramilitary ranks and the controversial Republican strategist. Ingrassia replied, "I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it," according to the messages.
One person in the chat told POLITICO that Ingrassia's comment was not taken as a joke, and several participants pushed back against the remark. The group also reportedly joked about a new show starring Ingrassia and white nationalist Nick Fuentes, to which Ingrassia allegedly responded with laughter.
Other Racist Remarks
The texts reveal additional racist comments. In January 2024, Ingrassia allegedly wrote, "Never trust a chinaman or Indian," referring to former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is of Indian descent, as reported by POLITCO. In another message, he said, "Blacks behave that way because that's their natural state ... You can't change them," allegedly adding a derogatory comment about Africa.
In February 2024, Ingrassia reportedly wrote that "We need competent white men in positions of leadership" and rejected the idea that "all men are created equal," calling that part of America's heritage something to be discarded, according to POLITICO.
Legal and Political Fallout
Ingrassia's nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel, an agency responsible for protecting federal whistleblowers and investigating discrimination, has already faced hurdles. His confirmation hearing was delayed by Republican senators amid concerns about his statements and associations. One senator expressed worries about "some statements about antisemitism," as reported by PEOPLE.
Earlier in 2025, Ingrassia was the subject of an internal investigation at the Department of Homeland Security following a sexual harassment complaint, which was later withdrawn. Ingrassia called the allegations a "vexatious political attack" and demanded retraction, as reported by The Guardian.
Defense and Denials
Edward Andrew Paltzik, Ingrassia's lawyer, suggested that the texts could have been manipulated or taken out of context. He argued that if authentic, the messages were "self-deprecating and satirical humor" mocking the frequent labeling of MAGA supporters as Nazis by liberals, as reported by PEOPLE. Paltzik also claimed Ingrassia has "incredible support from the Jewish community" and is "the furthest thing from a Nazi."
In a follow-up statement, Paltzik accused anonymous critics of using the age of AI to spread "falsehoods" and personal agendas aimed at harming Ingrassia, as reported by PEOPLE. He declined to concede the authenticity of the messages but condemned the attacks on his client.
Associations and Public Persona
The leaked texts align with some of Ingrassia's public statements and affiliations. He has ties to far-right figures like Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate, the latter facing serious criminal charges in Britain. Ingrassia attended a Fuentes rally but claimed ignorance of the event's organizers and left soon after, as reported by POLITICO. He also criticized Fuentes' removal from a Turning Point USA event and allegedly called the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a "psyop" following the Hamas attack in 2023.
Ingrassia has publicly advocated for "elevating the high IQ section of your demographics," specifically young, straight white men, and praised "exceptional white men" as the builders and primary appreciators of Western civilization, as reported by POLITICO.
The Group Chat's Demise
The group chat where these messages were exchanged reportedly disbanded shortly after the May 2024 exchange. Participants expressed frustration with Ingrassia's rhetoric and the toxic atmosphere. One member warned of "enemies in this group" and asked to be removed from the thread, signaling the fallout from the incendiary remarks, as reported by POLITICO.
The Irony of the Appointment
The revelations about Ingrassia's texts come with a sharp irony. The Office of Special Counsel is charged with protecting whistleblowers and investigating discrimination within the federal government. Yet, its nominee is now embroiled in allegations of hate-filled rhetoric and extremist views. This contradiction has sparked calls for accountability and transparency in the appointment process, as well as concerns about extremist ideology gaining access to sensitive oversight roles.
As Ingrassia's confirmation hearing approaches, the controversy surrounding his past remarks and associations continues to cast a shadow over his nomination. The unfolding story highlights the challenges of vetting political appointees in a polarized era and raises questions about the standards applied to those entrusted with upholding justice and fairness in government.
If confirmed, Ingrassia would hold a powerful position overseeing federal employee protections. For now, the Senate and the public await answers about the nominee's past and what it means for the integrity of the Office of Special Counsel.
References: Trump nominee says MLK Jr. holiday belongs in 'hell' and that he has 'Nazi streak,' according to texts | Leaked Texts Claim Trump Nominee Said He Has a 'Nazi Streak' Days Before His Confirmation | Trump nominee reportedly boasted of 'Nazi streak' in group chats | Trump administration
