Donald Trump is facing difficulties in selecting a new FBI director, aiming to find a candidate capable of securing Senate approval while appealing to his MAGA supporters. Former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, once considered a frontrunner due to his background as an FBI special agent, faced swift and intense opposition.
By Friday, Dan Scavino, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of staff, appeared to rule him out, stating Trump had never seriously considered Rogers for the position. This episode underscores the difficulties Trump faces in replacing FBI Director Christopher Wray, who still has three years remaining in his term.
Trump’s pick for FBI director must balance Senate approval and MAGA demands for bureau reform
While the president-elect has vowed to dismiss Wray, his pick for a successor must be acceptable to Senate Republicans while also aligning with his base’s demand for an overhaul of the bureau. Trump’s allies are still reeling from former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrawing from consideration as attorney general due to insufficient GOP support for confirmation.
Pam Bondi, Trump’s next choice for attorney general, has drawn mixed reactions. While some allies find her a reasonable option, others believe she lacks the aggressive political instincts associated with Gaetz.
Meanwhile, several candidates remain under consideration for FBI director, including Kash Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist; Jeff Jensen, former U.S. attorney; and Jason Chaffetz, ex-Rep. of Utah. Patel’s appointment as deputy director has also been floated as a possibility, allowing a more confirmable figure to take the top position.
Replacing Wray reflects Trump’s broader willingness to challenge established norms, as the FBI director role was designed as a 10-year appointment to shield it from political interference. While Rogers was seen as an experienced and confirmable candidate, an anti-Rogers campaign quickly gained momentum.
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe’s on-air endorsement of Rogers further fueled opposition from Trump’s right-wing supporters, including Jack Posobiec, who labeled McCabe’s support as the “kiss of death.”
Critics compiled Rogers’ past remarks critical of Trump and circulated them among transition aides. Scavino, after discussing the backlash with Trump, received authorization to publicly dismiss Rogers’ candidacy. Despite the unpredictable nature of Trump’s decision-making, insiders felt confident Rogers was no longer in contention.
