Former Congressman Mike Rogers is reportedly in the running to become the next FBI Director if President-elect Donald Trump replaces Christopher Wray. But Rogers’ candidacy has sparked significant debate due to his past involvement in issues like Russiagate and support for FISA surveillance.
Here’s the scoop:
- Rogers’ Background: A Republican representative from Michigan until 2015, Rogers chaired the House Intelligence Committee before transitioning to media work, including hosting CNN’s Declassified. He has maintained ties with intelligence-focused organizations, some of which were key players in propagating the Russiagate narrative.
- Russiagate Ties: Rogers served as an advisor to the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD), which launched the controversial Hamilton 68 Dashboard. The tool claimed to track Russian influence on social media but was criticized for falsely labeling legitimate accounts as “Russian bots.” Journalist Matt Taibbi exposed the project as a “scam” in his Twitter Files reporting.
- Mixed Signals on Trump: While Rogers endorsed Trump during his Senate bid in 2024 and attended campaign rallies, his earlier work with organizations that promoted Russian interference narratives raises questions about his alignment with Trump’s agenda.
- Establishment Support: Rogers has garnered praise from establishment Republicans like Senators John Cornyn and Susan Collins. However, his ties to groups like the Aspen Institute and MITRE, as well as his praise for figures like former DNI James Clapper, add complexity to his potential nomination.
Why it matters:
Rogers’ potential appointment highlights the ongoing tension between Trump’s push to reform the FBI and the influence of entrenched establishment figures. Critics worry that Rogers’ past positions may conflict with Trump’s goal to overhaul the agency and address concerns about the “deep state.”
What do you think about Rogers as a contender for FBI Director? Is he the right choice, or does his history complicate matters?
Stay tuned for more updates as Trump’s administration begins to take shape!
