U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, who represents Michigan, has announced plans to retire from Congress. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee isn’t completely leaving public life though, as he’s decided to pursue a career in radio.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Michigan's eighth congressional district over the last 14 years. We have accomplished so much together, and I am most proud of our work to turn the House Intelligence Committee into a true legislative and oversight body,” Rogers said in a statement from his office, released to the Detroit News.
He further added that he had a career before politics and wanted to have one after. “That is why I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress in 2014,” the Republican said. “As I close this chapter in my life, I am excited to begin a new one that allows me to continue serving as a voice for American exceptionalism and support a strong nation security policy agenda.”
Rogers, 50, has represented the state since 2001. Recently, he has become increasingly more visible as he has defended U.S. intelligence programs on the Sunday talk shows and elsewhere. The Associated Press, he has become more vocal as the National Security Agency’s activities continue to be exposed in the press. While he said he understood concerns over privacy, he said the programs were necessary to stop terrorism. He also called for more information from the OBama administration on the 2012 Benghazi consulate attack that lead to the death of a U.S. ambassador.
Rogers plans on launching his radio show with Cumulus Media, which will broadcast his show across the country starting in January,right after his term expires.