The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has indefinitely delayed President Donald Trump’s pick to run an independent watchdog that investigates wrongdoing in the federal government.
Paul Ingrassia, the nominee to be special counsel, was scheduled to testify before the panel Thursday but was noticeably absent from the slate of nominees appearing before lawmakers. His selection has drawn scrutiny from critics who argue he is unqualified for the job given his short professional career out of law school and his association with online extremists.
“This big thing for our state is, he’s had some statements about antisemitism,” Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, a member of the committee, said in a brief interview about his questions for the nominee.
Ingrassia has been linked to Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist, and Andrew Tate, a Holocaust denier.
Committee chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he would have more information on the status of Ingrassia’s nomination next week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), however, suggested it could take longer to resolve.
“The committee would obviously be the first line of vetting on that, and I think the fact that they’ve pushed it to next month — or after the August recess — is an indication they are taking a harder look at it,” said Thune said of Republicans on the committee.
Sen. James Lankford, another member of the Homeland Security panel, later said Ingrassia’s hearing would indeed be pushed until September to accommodate lawmakers who wanted to be able to meet with him. The Oklahoma Republican said he had his own questions for Ingrassia, including about his previous social media posts.
“He’s been an attorney for one year,” Lankford added.
The Office of the Special Counsel is also charged with protecting whistleblowers across the federal government and enforcing the Hatch Act, which prohibits some political activity from federal employees.
Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
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