Reclaiming the Name: Integrity Over Ideology

Episode 148: Reclaiming the Name: Integrity Over Ideology

Hello, I’m your host, Mark Ingrassia and This is Special Ed Rising,PURGE 47 Edition, the show that keeps a close watch on government actions impacting the disability community. If you’re here, you already know that when policies shift and rights are on the line, we can’t afford to look away.

In this episode, I’m diving into an area that hits close to home — not just because of the issues at stake in our government, but because of a name we both share. When someone with the Ingrassia name became the center of controversy for words and actions that are the opposite of decency and accountability, I knew I had to speak out and set the record straight.

This podcast is a space for inclusion, supporting individuals with disabilities across education, access, and health. If you’re enjoying the show, please rate, review, subscribe, and share—it helps others find us and furthers the mission.

To support the podcast or explore my parent coaching, visit specialedrising.com for resources, tips, and tools. Check out the Special Ed Rising YouTube channel for interviews and more.

I’ve also launched a GoFundMe to help create Ray’s Respite Care—a vital service for families. Find the link in the show notes and give what you can. It means the world. Thank you!

This episode is sponsored by Music Workshop, bringing teachers free music curriculum that spans cultures, genres, instruments, concerts, and careers.

-being, free through December: 2025

Teachers discover how to use music to support student well-being—or explore self-care strategies for yourself. Parents, share this opportunity with your child’s school.

Learn more at musicworkshop.org.

Now, let’s start prioritizing integrity and accountability. On our way to another win!!

I’m going off-script for this episode. Where hate and mediocrity reign and the worst people end up in positions of power — as we’re seeing in parts of our federal government today starting at the top — I can’t stay silent. A recent event hit me personally because the person at the center of it shares my last name. Hearing that name on the news and across social media, tied to reprehensible words and actions, compelled me to step in and reclaim what the name should stand for. I want to vindicate the Ingrassia name and remind people that our legacy is rooted in integrity, service, and compassion — not the ugliness of one individual.

Back in May, President Trump nominated Paul Ingrassia to lead the Office of Special Counsel, or OSC.

Now, if you’re not familiar, the OSC is supposed to be a watchdog — the agency that protects federal whistleblowers and enforces civil-service protections.

Basically, it’s where people go when something’s wrong inside government and they need to speak up safely.

But what happens when the watchdog has a history of biting in the wrong direction?

Fast forward to October:

Reports surface that in private chat messages, Ingrassia bragged that he had, quote, “a Nazi streak in me from time to time.”

rge Floyd, calling him “the: 1960

These weren’t rumors.

These were messages he sent — and they made their way into public view through a Politico and Vox investigation.

And suddenly, even Republicans — including Senate Majority Leader John Thune — said, “Nope. Not this guy.”

Think about that.

A Trump nominee pulled his own name because there weren’t enough Republican votes to support him.

That’s a first in this cycle.

And it didn’t happen because of political opposition — it happened because of his own words.

It’s rare — and that’s saying something these days. Usually, Trump’s nominees get full backing from his own party, no matter how controversial they are. But this time? The pushback came from inside the house — from Republicans themselves. That tells you just how far off the rails this one went. Ingrassia’s own words were too much even for his supporters to stomach. And that’s not about politics; that’s about basic decency. When you’ve got a nominee so toxic that his own side won’t stand behind him, you know you’ve crossed a line that shouldn’t even exist in the first place.

But let’s talk about what this means — not just politically, but systemically.

The OSC isn’t just another office.

It’s supposed to be a safeguard — a line of defense for fairness, ethics, and accountability inside government systems.

That includes the federal departments overseeing education, health, housing, and yes — the agencies that impact people with disabilities.

If leadership in that space can’t be trusted to act impartially — if it’s tainted by prejudice or extremist rhetoric — what message does that send to the whistleblowers trying to protect vulnerable citizens?

To the parents reporting discrimination?

To the special ed teachers flagging systemic abuse or mismanagement?

You can’t have justice when the gatekeeper doesn’t believe in equality.

That’s what this nomination exposed.

It’s not just about Paul Ingrassia — it’s about the normalization of ideology over integrity.

And when that happens in government oversight, marginalized communities — including ours — are always the first to feel the hit.

So what’s next?

Ingrassia’s nomination for the Office of Special Counsel is dead.

He’s reportedly staying on as a White House liaison to Homeland Security, though.

That means he’s still inside the machine — He remains in his role at Homeland Security? That’s beyond tone-deaf — it’s an insult to every public servant who actually believes in decency and accountability. After admitting to having a “Nazi streak,” this man shouldn’t be anywhere near a federal office, let alone one tied to national security. The fact that he’s still holding on tells you everything you need to know about this administration’s moral compass. There’s no remorse, no accountability — just a stubborn clinging to power, no matter how rotten the optics. Keeping Paul Ingrassia at DHS isn’t just bad judgment; it’s a statement — that hate speech and extremism aren’t dealbreakers if you’re politically useful. And that should terrify anyone who still believes public service is supposed to serve the public.

It says that Donald Trump and his administration continue to prioritize loyalty over integrity — image over ethics. Keeping someone like Paul Ingrassia in a federal role after such revelations sends a clear message: personal conduct, moral character, and respect for others take a backseat to political allegiance. This isn’t just a personnel mistake; it’s a reflection of an entire governing philosophy — one where ideology trumps accountability and extremism is tolerated as long as it serves the mission. It shows that the administration isn’t interested in restoring trust or upholding the dignity of public service. Instead, it doubles down on a pattern we’ve seen before — rewarding those who echo the rhetoric, no matter how corrosive it is to the nation’s values or institutions.

Civil-rights and ethics groups are already calling for deeper reviews into his past statements and associations.

Because, again — words matter, especially when they come from people in power.

Let’s talk about ethics — because the contrast between Paul Ingrassia and this Ingrassia, me, couldn’t be clearer. Paul Ingrassia’s story is one of arrogance and ideology — a man entrusted with protecting whistleblowers who couldn’t even protect his own integrity. His leaked messages mocked the very values a public servant is supposed to uphold: equality, respect, and accountability. Now, on the flip side, my work with Special Ed Rising is built on those exact principles — giving voice to families, teachers, and individuals who’ve been silenced or overlooked. Where Paul used power to punch down, I use my platform to lift people up. His ethics bent toward exclusion; mine are grounded in inclusion. And that’s not just a difference in politics — it’s a difference in purpose. One of us tried to serve the system; the other is trying to fix it.

For me, this is about reclaiming the name Ingrassia — taking it back and redefining what it stands for. Paul’s actions might have dragged the name into the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but that doesn’t get to be the final word. Through Special Ed Rising, I’m showing a different side of what Ingrassia means — one rooted in advocacy, empathy, and accountability. Where he represented arrogance and exclusion, I stand for honesty, inclusion, and service. My work is about giving voice to families who’ve been overlooked and holding systems accountable when they fail them. In doing that, I’m not just separating myself from his choices — I’m rewriting the legacy of our shared name. Ingrassia doesn’t have to be remembered for scandal; it can stand for integrity, compassion, and purpose.

At PURGE 47, we’ve talked a lot about accountability.

And this story is a reminder that sunlight still works — when enough people are paying attention.

Whether it’s in disability services, education policy, or government ethics — it’s up to all of us to demand better.

Because once we stop watching, we stop mattering.

Other Ingrassia’s whose lives reflect well upon the name are

Giovanni Filippo Ingrassia (: 1510

This was a monumental breakthrough — the stapes transmits sound vibrations to the inner ear, and understanding it deepened scientific knowledge of hearing.

Paul Ingrassia (: 1950

Ciccio Ingrassia (1922 – 2003) talian actor, comedian and film director, born in Palermo, Sicily. Best‐known as one half of the comedy duo “Franco and Ciccio”,

Anthony Ingrassia (: 1944

Julien Ingrassia (born 1979): French rally co-driver, known for his long partnership in the World Rally Championship.

Angelo Ingrassia (: 1923

The Ingrassia name carries a lot of stories — some noble, some shameful. From Giovanni Filippo’s breakthroughs in medicine to Ciccio’s laughter — there’s a legacy worth preserving. Paul Ingrassia’s descent into extremism doesn’t define us; it exposes how easily integrity can be corrupted when power becomes the goal. My work — and the work of every advocate, parent, and teacher who refuses to look away — is about restoring that integrity, not just for a name, but for a principle: that decency still matters. So while Paul’s actions may have stained the headlines, the rest of us are writing a different story — one rooted in truth, accountability, and care for those who need it most. The Ingrassia name doesn’t belong to hate; it belongs to hope.