‘Never trust an Indian’: Trump nominee Paul Ingrassia faces backlash over racist, pro-Nazi remarks

Trump nominee Paul Ingrassia's racist views, ‘Nazi streak’ come to light

Paul Ingrassia, US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the White House Office of the Special Counsel, is facing mounting criticism following reports of racist and extremist remarks attributed to him. The revelations, published by Politico, have cast serious doubt over his Senate confirmation hearing scheduled for Thursday.

According to Politico, Ingrassia, a Republican attorney and political commentator, sent a series of offensive messages in a group chat with fellow Republicans. In a January 2024 exchange, he wrote, “MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd and his ‘holiday’ should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs.”

In another message, Ingrassia disparaged people of colour, writing,  “Never trust a chinaman or Indian. NEVER.”

A month earlier, he reportedly used a racial slur for Black people, texting, “No moulignon holidays … From kwanza [sic] to MLK Jr. Day to Black History Month to Juneteenth. Every single one needs to be eviscerated.”

He also allegedly compared people of African descent unfavourably, stating, “Blacks behave that way because that’s their natural state … You can’t change them. Proof: all of Africa is a shithole, and will always be that way.” In a separate chat from May 2024, Ingrassia appeared to embrace extremist rhetoric, writing:

“I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it.” The messages drew immediate rebuke from others in the group, with one participant warning him that such views could “be around forever.”

Defense of 'white civilization'

Ingrassia also shared images of America’s Founding Fathers, commenting, “We should celebrate white men and western civilisation and I will never back down from that.”

In February 2024, he added, “We need competent white men in positions of leadership … The Founding Fathers were wrong that all men are created equal … We need to reject that part of our heritage.”

His comments were reportedly tied to discussions referencing far-right figures such as Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate. Politico noted that Ingrassia attended a Fuentes rally in 2024, though he later claimed he did not know who organized the event and left shortly after arriving.

In other exchanges, Ingrassia described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a “psyop” and argued that education should focus on “elevating the high IQ section of your demographics, so you know, basically young men, straight White men.”

Who is Paul Ingrassia?

Paul Joseph Ingrassia is an attorney and conservative political commentator who previously served as White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security in 2025. He has also briefly worked as liaison to the Department of Justice.

A graduate of Fordham University and Cornell Law School, where he was senior online editor of the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, Ingrassia has written for National Review and The Daily Caller. He has also co-hosted a podcast known for provocative commentary often amplified by former President Trump.

Trump nominated Ingrassia in May 2025 to head the Office of Special Counsel — an independent federal agency tasked with protecting whistleblowers and upholding civil service laws. However, with the latest revelations, his confirmation prospects now appear increasingly uncertain.