U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday his plan to nominate attorney Paul Ingrassia as the next head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, praising him for his performance as White House liaison for homeland security.
Trump shared the nomination on Truth Social, calling Ingrassia's work “tremendous.” In response, Ingrassia emphasized his mission to "restore competence and integrity to the Executive Branch," with a focus on eliminating federal workforce waste, fraud, and abuse, as well as strengthening enforcement of the Hatch Act.
Ingrassia, a licensed attorney, briefly served as White House liaison to the Department of Justice earlier this year, following Trump’s return to the presidency in January. However, he was reassigned to the Department of Homeland Security after reportedly pushing for the hiring of staff with “exceptional loyalty” to Trump, according to a February report by ABC News. This move reportedly caused friction with the DOJ’s chief of staff.
Ingrassia also worked during Trump’s first term at the White House National Economic Council, though details of his position remain unclear. His nomination signals Trump’s intent to reshape federal oversight and ethics enforcement heading into his renewed term.
The Office of Special Counsel plays a key role in investigating violations of civil service laws, including political activity restrictions under the Hatch Act, whistleblower protections, and prohibited personnel practices. Ingrassia’s confirmation could significantly impact how these laws are interpreted and enforced under the Trump administration.
Trump’s decision is expected to draw scrutiny, especially given Ingrassia’s history of prioritizing loyalty in staffing decisions. Nonetheless, his nomination reflects the administration’s continued focus on consolidating trusted personnel in influential federal roles.