A group representing more than 12,000 FBI agents is urging President Obama to nominate Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) as the bureau's next director.

The FBI Agents Association said Rogers — a former FBI agent and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee — would be the perfect candidate to replace Director Robert Mueller when his term expires in September.



"Chairman Rogers exemplifies the principles that should be possessed by the next FBI director,” said the group's president, Konrad Motyka.



“His unique and diverse experience as a veteran, FBI agent and member of Congress will allow him to effectively lead the men and women of the Bureau as they continue their work to protect our country from criminal and terrorist threats.”



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Rogers, who left the FBI in 1995, didn’t immediately rule out the possibility of accepting a nomination to head the Bureau, saying only that he was “honored” to be put forward as a desired candidate to replace Mueller.“I am honored to have the confidence of the men and women of the FBI's special agent community, and am humbled by their endorsement of me to lead the Bureau,” said Rogers in a statement to The Hill.“The next generation of FBI leadership must recognize how essential special agents are to the Bureau's core mission. In whatever capacity I serve the public, my focus will always be to ensure we are in the best position possible to keep America safe.”

Rogers is considering launching a Senate bid in 2014.

At Obama’s request, the Senate in 2011 voted to extend Mueller’s 10-year term as the head of the FBI two additional years because lawmakers were concerned that the bureau have stable leadership while the Pentagon and the CIA took on new leaders.



Mueller’s extended term will expire in less than four months. Some Senate Republicans have told The Hill that they will use his departure to press the new FBI director and the Obama administration on when, and whether, American terrorism suspects should be read their Miranda rights after being taken into custody.



The issue came to a head most recently when the surviving Boston bombing suspect was read his rights after only 16 hours of interrogation. Rogers has criticized the Justice Department (DOJ) and asked for answers about why the decision was made to read the suspect his rights so soon.



Attorney General Eric Holder Eric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy Biden campaign forming 'special litigation' team ahead of possible voting battle Pompeo, Engel poised for battle in contempt proceedings MORE does not appear to have signed off on the decision, which was executed by a federal magistrate after the DOJ had officially filed charges against the suspect.



— This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. and 5:39 p.m and 7 a.m.

