'He's not gonna pass': Top Senate Republican torpedoes controversial Trump nominee

The top Senate Republican torpedoed one of President Donald Trump's most controversial nominees on Monday night, flatly asserting, "he's not gonna pass."

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) told CNN in a statement that he hopes the White House pulls Trump's nomination for Paul Ingrassia, a right-wing podcaster whom Trump nominated to lead the Office of the Special Counsel. Thune's comment comes after Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also said Monday that he would not support Ingrassia, setting up a potential fight between MAGA heavyweights and the president.

The comments come after Politico published a report detailing racist and offensive text messages Ingrassia sent to colleagues.

Ingrassia said the federal MLK Day holiday needed to be "sent to the 7th pit of hell." Ingrassia also said he has a bit of a "Nazi streak" in him, according to the report.

"A short time ago, the Senate's top Republican majority leader, John Thune, said he hopes the white house withdraws him from consideration. 'He's not going to pass,' Senator Thune says," reported CNN's John Berman.

Ingrassia was expected to appear before a Senate committee for a confirmation hearing on Thursday