Anderson Cooper 360 Politico Reports On Racist Text Messages Allegedly Sent By Trump Nominee For Whistleblower Office
Oct 21, 2025
Shimon Prokupecz, CNN's senior crime and justice correspondent, delves into alarming reports of alleged racist text messages sent by Paul Ingrassia, a Trump nominee. They discuss the implications for Ingrassia's position amidst calls for his removal. The conversation also touches on the recent appeals court ruling regarding the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland and the legal realms of presidential authority. Shimon provides his insights on these critical issues, making for a thought-provoking discussion.
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Court Gives President Wide Guard Authority
- A federal appeals panel allowed federalized National Guard deployment to Portland, giving the president wide discretion.
- Critics warn this may erode state control and inflame protests rather than calm them.
Nominee's Texts Sink Confirmation Bid
- Paul Ingrassia's leaked texts, if authentic, reveal deeply racist views that make his DOJ watchdog nomination untenable.
- Senate Republicans including John Thune quickly urged withdrawal, signaling near-certain failure of confirmation.
Verify Messages Before Mounting Defense
- Authenticate digital evidence before defending a nominee; Ingrassia's lawyer warned about AI-manipulated texts as a defense strategy.
- But public and Senate pressure can doom a nomination even while authenticity is disputed.