New House Intel Chair: I'll Defend the CIA

In an interview with FF, Rep. Mike Rogers, the new GOP House Intel chair pledged to protect the CIA from political interference.

Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) has been chosen to chair the House Intelligence Committee.  FrumForum interviewed the congressman as well as some former CIA officials to see which direction the committee will move after Republicans take control of the House.

Rogers appears to be an excellent selection, knowledgeable about the issues facing America today.  He was a U.S. Army Officer, an FBI agent, and has served on the intelligence committee since 2003.

All of the former CIA officials regard Rogers as a very good choice.  One described Rogers as being “very even handed, less political, and more objective.”  Michael Hayden, the former CIA Director, commented that “Rogers will conduct congressional oversight while at the same time protecting CIA officers who are doing their jobs.” Another former high ranking CIA official felt that “Rogers will bring back an atmosphere of trust. With Rogers at the helm, the intelligence committee and the Agency will be able to talk frankly about problems, shortcomings, lessons learned, and successes.”

In speaking to Rogers, FrumForum received the same impression.  Under Pelosi’s leadership as House Speaker the intelligence committee has been unfriendly and hostile towards the intelligence community.  Over the past few years there has been little recognition of the tough job and mission those in the intelligence community must endure: from working 12 to 16 hour days, to having an extensive work load, to the pressure of needing to be correct 100% of the time.  Rogers stated that when he takes over the leadership he will make sure “there is strong oversight which is very important.  It’s good to have hard and tough questions but at the end of the day there must be an eye on completing the mission and supporting the people who do it.  It’s really been the opposite:  we don’t like you, we don’t trust you, and we don’t believe in you.”

Hayden is hopeful that with the Republican majority one of their tasks will be to end the unfair re-investigation of CIA officers because “this is an agency that is worried if anyone has their backs.” FrumForum asked Rogers his opinion on that issue.  He responded that “one of the first things I would like to do is have an honest dialogue.  Right now, the Department of Justice has identified the intelligence community as the enemy.  We have to change that because it absolutely promotes risk-aversion.  Right now this is a confusing time for what people can and can’t do when it comes to interrogation.  They are going to err on the side of caution which means there is information we are not getting.  This has weakened our ability to protect against attacks in the US.”

Rogers will direct the committee to have oversight that is fair-minded, less threatening, and focused on what is important: protecting Americans.  His appointment appears to be an excellent choice since he will balance asking the tough questions with the understanding that the intelligence community is the shield that protects Americans and must be supported.

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