G.O.P. Senators Oppose Trump Watchdog Nominee After Report of Racist Texts

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The nomination of Paul Ingrassia, President Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Special Counsel, appeared to be in jeopardy on Monday night after Politico reported that he had sent a series of racist text messages.

At least four Republican senators, including the Senate majority leader, Senator John Thune of South Dakota, have signaled that they will oppose his nomination to the office, which is a traditionally independent corruption-fighting agency that safeguards federal whistle-blowers and enforces some ethics laws.

Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, told reporters on Monday evening that he had spoken with the administration about Mr. Ingrassia but did not share details. He told reporters, “I do not support him.”

Mr. Ingrassia, 30, is set to testify on his nomination on Thursday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Four Republicans opposing him would be enough to kill his nomination if all senators were present and the entire Democratic caucus voted against him.

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The New York Times was unable to independently verify the text messages, which Politico said included telling a group of fellow Republicans that he had “a Nazi streak” and that the federal holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.”

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