POLITICO revealed the textual content messages simply days earlier than Ingrassia’s scheduled affirmation listening to on Thursday (October 23), which is now in jeopardy as a number of Republican leaders condemn his racist remarks.
In January 2024, Ingrassia wrote in a Republican group chat that the vacation for Martin Luther King Jr. “belongs” in “hell.”
“MLK Jr. was the Sixties George Floyd and his ‘vacation’ must be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell the place it belongs,” Ingrassia reportedly mentioned.
In one other message, the Trump nominee used a racial slur.
“No moulignon holidays … From Kwanza to MLK Jr. Day to Black Historical past Month to Juneteenth. Each single one must be eviscerated,” he wrote.
In December 2023, Ingrassia reportedly mentioned, “By no means belief a chinaman or Indian. NEVER,” whereas referencing then-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
He additionally joked about being on a Nazi speak present, confessing, “I do have a Nazi streak in me occasionally, I’ll admit it.”
Regardless of his lawyer’s claiming that the remarks had been “satirical” or taken out of context, bipartisan condemnation of Ingrassia. Senate Majority Whip John Thune publicly known as on the White Home to withdraw the nomination, telling reporters, “He’s not gonna go.”
Different Republican senators who’ve publicly opposed Ingrassia’s nomination embody Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK). The backlash places Ingrassia’s affirmation in jeopardy, as he can solely afford to lose three Republican votes, assuming Democrats vote unanimously in opposition to him.
The White Home hasn’t publicly commented on the leaked messages. Ingrassia has already confronted scrutiny over a beforehand reported sexual harassment grievance on the Division of Homeland Safety, the place he serves as White Home liaison.
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