Mike Rogers Off Trump Transition Team

I think JackStraw mentioned this.

Mr. Rogers, a Republican who represented Michigan until last year, held a central role overseeing the national-security transition process for Mr. Trump's team since before last week's election. But he is considered a close ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and multiple people close to Mr. Christie were removed from the transition team in recent days amid a major shake-up.

The Christie connection explains why he was in, but not why he is now out.

Here's my guess as to why he's out: People are angry about Rogers running interference for Obama/Hillary on Benghazi.

Last month, Daily Beast national security correspondent Eli Lake reported that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers had "warned his colleagues about the upcoming select committee to investigate Benghazi." In interviews Rogers "downplayed" the testimony CIA contractors gave in closed session, Lake noted, and has said he did not believe the CIA had stonewalled his committee. Lake reported that "the chairmen of the House Intelligence, Armed Services, and Government Reform committees -- Reps. Rogers, Buck McKeon, and Darrell Issa, respectively -- all opposed the formation of a select committee on Benghazi."

Sussing out the White House's response to Benghazi is a critical step in clearing the shadows from the incident, but there are other players in the drama as well, including Rep. Rogers, and possibly also including a private military contracting firm that until recently was run by his wife, Kristi Rogers.

posted by Ace at 01:08 PM

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