Trump adviser denies that Mike Rogers will head FBI as report points to Kash Patel
Last week saw speculation that President-elect Donald Trump might name former Michigan Republican Rep. Mike Rogers as FBI director.
However Trump was quick to reverse those rumors, a move which was welcomed by many in the president-elect's base.
Senior Trump adviser: Nominating Rogers is "not happening"
According to the Washington Examiner, the decision to pass over Rogers was made public by Dan Scavino, who formerly served as Trump's deputy White House chief of staff during Trump's first administration.
"Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI," Scavino wrote in a social media post this past Friday.
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
"It's not happening — In his own words, 'I have never even given it a thought.' Not happening," the senior adviser went on to add.
Rogers met with protests from Trump base
Rogers is a former FBI agent who was interviewed in 2017 as a potential replacement for former FBI Director James Comey. What's more, he launched an unsuccessful Senate campaign this year against Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin.
The Examiner observed how talk of Rogers heading the FBI was not-well received by some of the president-elect's most ardent supporters.
Among them was conservative author and journalist Ashley St. Clair, who declared in a social media post on Thursday that "[w]hoever is pushing Mike Rogers should be removed from Trump’s orbit immediately."
The Examiner also noted that former White House advisor Steve Bannon also denounced the idea that Rogers should be considered to lead the FBI during a recent episode of his "War Room" podcast.
Axios report suggests that Kash Patel may head FBI
Axios reported on Monday that Patel, who previously served as a senior advisor to the acting Director of National Intelligence, is being strongly considered for either FBI director or a high-ranking post in the Department of Justice.
"Kash has a lot of allies who think placing him in a top role would be well-received by the Trump base, and send a clear message that Trump is serious about major reform to the justice and law-enforcement agencies," a source within Trump's transition team was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told the website that Trump "has made brilliant decisions on who will serve in his second administration at lightning pace."