FBI agents group urges Trump to pick Mike Rogers for director

A group of current and former FBI agents on Saturday endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) to lead the FBI following the ouster of director James Comey.

“Chairman Rogers exemplifies the principles that should be possessed by the next FBI Director,” Thomas F. O’Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association, said in a statement.

The association cited Rogers’ experience previously serving in the FBI in addition to his time in Congress to explain their endorsement.

“It is essential that the next FBI Director understand the details of how Agents do their important work,” the statement continued. “Rogers’ unique and diverse experience will allow him to effectively lead the men and women of the Bureau as we work to protect our country from criminal and terrorist threats.”

“During his time in Congress he showed a commitment to confronting threats to our country in a nonpartisan and collaborative manner.” 

{mosads}Rogers, who previously served as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, briefly advised the Trump transition team in November on national security issues.

He is reportedly being considered among a number of other candidates to potentially replace Comey, who was fired on Tuesday.

Other individuals under consideration include Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who were among four candidates being interviewed Saturday by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy Rod Rosenstein. 

Trump earlier this week caused shockwaves in Washington when he fired Comey, who had been leading the bureau’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the U.S. presidential election and any potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The White House denied the FBI’s Russia probe was behind Comey’s dismissal, but Trump in an interview with NBC News cited investigations into Russia’s interference in the election in explaining his decision to fire Comey.

Trump also said he planned to fire Comey regardless of a Justice Department recommendation, breaking with the official account offered by senior White House aides, who emphasized the recommendation in explaining the FBI chief’s dismissal.