Mike Rogers was formerly chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. | AP Photo FBI agents group endorses Mike Rogers for FBI director

The FBI Agents Association on Saturday backed former lawmaker and FBI agent Mike Rogers to replace ousted FBI Director James Comey.

FBIAA President Thomas F. O’Connor said in a statement that Rogers, a former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, "exemplifies the principles that should be possessed by the next FBI Director."


“It is essential that the next FBI Director understand the details of how Agents do their important work," O'Connor wrote. "Mike Rogers’ background as a Special Agent, veteran of the armed forces and former member of Congress sets him apart as someone capable of confronting the wide array of challenges facing our help ensure that the Bureau remains the world’s premiere law enforcement agency."

O'Connor added that during his time in Congress, Rogers "showed a commitment to confronting threats to our country in a nonpartisan and collaborative manner."

“Rogers’ unique and diverse experience will allow him to effectively lead the men and women of the Bureau as we work to protect our country from criminal and terrorist threats,” O’Connor wrote.

POLITICO reported that candidates would be interviewed by Justice Department officials on Saturday. They include acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), former Justice Department Criminal Division Chief Alice Fisher, New York state judge and former U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Michael Garcia and the FBI special agent in charge in Richmond, Adam Lee. That would be the first round of interviews.

Others said to be on President Donald Trump's list of candidates include Rogers; Henry E. Hudson, U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Fran Townsend, former Homeland Security Adviser to President George W. Bush.

O'Connor told POLITICO the decision to endorse Rogers was made by the national board of the association after meeting in D.C., adding that the board's "role is to represent our 13,000 members." He also said: "We did put out emails to our membership, and to our chapter representatives, and we'll be monitoring that as we go forward."

"We believe that Mike Rogers is a viable candidate for this position," O'Connor said. "He is the person we have chose to put our capital behind."

On Saturday, Trump said he believes the process is "going to go quickly."

“Almost all of them are very well known. They've been vetted over their lifetime, essentially," he said. "But very well known, highly respected, really talented people. And that’s what we want for the FBI.”

Trump fired Comey on Tuesday.