Trump opens up on Mike Rogers' FBI director pick rumors following MAGA supporters rallying for Kash Patel
WASHINGTON, DC: President-elect Donald Trump quickly addressed rumors suggesting that he was considering Mike Rogers for the position of FBI director.
Concerns arose among Trump supporters, leading to a wave of internal protests against Rogers’ potential appointment.
The objections also reportedly escalated following Trump's former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe's endorsement of Rogers.
Dan Scavino confirms Donald Trump’s stance on Mike Rogers
Donald Trump’s longtime advisor and social media director, Dan Scavino, responded to the speculation by sharing an update directly from Trump on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Scavino made it clear that Rogers was not being considered for the FBI director position.
"Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI," he wrote on Friday, November 22 morning on X.
"It's not happening — In his own words, 'I have never even given it a thought.' Not happening," Scavino added.
Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI. It’s not happening — In his own words, “I have never even given it a thought.” Not happening.
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) November 22, 2024
Rogers, a former FBI agent, congressman, and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was previously a rumored contender for the role after he met with Trump’s transition team at Mar-a-Lago.
His recent run for senator in Michigan, which was unsuccessful, also kept him in the public eye.
Andrew McCabe backs Mike Rogers while criticizing Kash Patel
Key MAGA figureheads protested the idea of Mike Rogers leading the FBI after former deputy director of the FBI Andrew McCabe supported his potential appointment.
During an interview with CNN, McCabe called Rogers a "totally reasonable, logical selection" to head the agency.
He also issued a stark warning against Trump choosing Kash Patel.
"It's inconceivable to me that an outsider with no experience in the organization, no knowledge of the work and the scope of authority that's involved there could perform adequately," McCabe said of Patel on the station.
He further expressed his concerns, saying, "No part of the FBI's mission is safe with Kash Patel in any position of leadership in the FBI and certainly not in the deputy director's job," as per Newsweek.
Kash Patel's plans for the FBI
Kash Patel, a staunch Donald Trump loyalist and a prominent figure within MAGA circles, has gained support for his proposed reforms to the FBI while also voicing his contempt for the "deep state" within the national security and intelligence establishment, according to Daily Mail.
In a podcast interview with Shawn Ryan, Patel described his vision for the agency.
"I'd shut down the FBI Hoover building on Day One and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state, and I'd take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals," said Patel.
Kash Patel: “I’d shutdown the FBI Hoover building on Day 1 and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state.”
— Shawn Ryan Show (@ShawnRyanShow) November 19, 2024
Do you think Donald Trump should appoint Kash Patel? pic.twitter.com/ceoGb0wRun
"Go be cops. You're cops. Go be cops," he added.
Patel’s quick rise during Trump’s administration has made him a polarizing figure among Republicans.
He served as senior counterterrorism director on the National Security Council, principal deputy to the acting director in the Office of National Intelligence, and principal deputy to the acting director of the Department of Defense.
Internet reacts to Kash Patel and Mike Rogers' speculation
The online community, particularly MAGA supporters, exhibited strong reactions following the clarification of rumors surrounding Mike Rogers, while fervently rallying behind Kash Patel.
One MAGA supporter commented on X, "Yeah Kash Patel only. Only Kash!!" Another wrote, "This is what we needed to hear."
Yeah Kash Patel only. Only Kash!! pic.twitter.com/D7xl7M9BEj
— Don Wick (@yayavarkm) November 22, 2024
A third added, "Now we need some KASH."
Others expressed relief that Rogers was ruled out, with one user stating, "That rumor can die now and hopefully, with it, Mike Rogers’ career as well!"
That rumor can die now and hopefully, with it, Mike Rogers’ career as well!
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) November 22, 2024
Another wrote, "Thank you for clarifying. Mike Rogers for FBI director was another PSYOP."
Thank you for clarifying.
— 𝐂𝐂 (@ChatByCC) November 22, 2024
Mike Rogers for FBI director was another PSYOP.
Some praised Trump’s decision, with one user commenting, "Good. Trump has learned about the deep state and is acting accordingly."
Good. Trump has learned about the deep state and is acting accordingly.
— Mark W. Smith/#2A Scholar (@fourboxesdiner) November 22, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.