Senate panel delays Ingrassia confirmation hearing – Washington Examiner
A Senate confirmation hearing for Paul Ingrassia, nominated to lead the Office of Special Counsel in the Trump administration, has been postponed. The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee delayed the hearing to allow more time for senators to meet with Ingrassia individually. This delay follows concerns from Senate Republicans about Ingrassia’s experience, temperament, and controversial past remarks, including his defense of Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and calls for martial law after the 2020 election. Ingrassia, who previously worked as a political commentator, has also faced criticism for expressing sympathy toward January 6 rioters. Despite these controversies, the White House maintains its support for Ingrassia. The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for protecting federal whistleblowers and enforcing the Hatch Act. Ingrassia’s nomination is among several contentious picks facing difficulties in the senate.
Senate panel delays Paul Ingrassia confirmation hearing
A confirmation hearing for Paul Ingrassia, tapped for a key watchdog post in the Trump administration, has been postponed as Senate Republicans question his experience and history of incendiary remarks.
The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee was slated to hold a hearing Thursday for Ingrassia, chosen to lead the Office of Special Counsel in May. But Ingrassia’s name was removed from the hearing calendar, according to a source familiar with the matter, at the request of members wanting more time for one-on-one meetings with him.
The delay marks the latest setback for Ingrassia, who has already lost the support of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) over his sympathy for Jan. 6 rioters, while others have registered concerns over Ingrassia’s temperament and limited legal experience.
The Office of Special Counsel is tasked with protecting federal whistleblowers and pursuing violations of the Hatch Act, which prevents appointees from using their office for political purposes.
Ingrassia is just the latest nominee to face trouble in the Senate. Mike Waltz’s nomination for U.N. ambassador had been temporarily delayed in the Foreign Affairs Committee, while Emil Bove, President Donald Trump’s pick for a federal judgeship, is narrowly advancing across the Senate floor, but with at least two Republicans preparing to oppose him.
Bove has struggled to overcome whistleblower allegations that he discussed defying court orders to enact Trump’s agenda.
The concerns over Ingrassia center on a trove of social media posts, blog entries, and podcast episodes — Ingrassia, 30, used to be a political commentator — that were slated to become the focus of Thursday’s confirmation hearing.
Ingrassia has drawn particular scrutiny for his past defense of Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and his podcast’s call for martial law after Trump’s 2020 election loss.
TRUMP WATCHDOG NOMINEE ON SHAKY GROUND OVER PAST JAN. 6 COMMENTS
Ingrassia denies that he is antisemitic and still has the public confidence of the White House.
At Wednesday’s briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration is “always in communication with members of both the Senate and the House, and we stand by the president’s nominees.”
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