Mike Rogers on DOGE and Federal Workers: "I Love It," Making the Cuts Permanent, and Michigan Services Lost
Mike Rogers said in April 2026 that he told DOGE officials "you're going to cut it, and that's great, and I love it", and that he would legislate the cuts so agencies could not rebuild. Those cuts reached Michigan: the Social Security Administration lost 11 percent of its Michigan staff, and NOAA's Ann Arbor Great Lakes research station lost about 20 percent of its staff.
The Michigan Senate candidate pledged in February 2026 to "protect" the 10 percent cut in federal employees, and in July 2026 a Rogers fundraising appeal asked for money "to protect Elon and save America" from congressional oversight of DOGE.
Mike Rogers's Statements Backing DOGE's Federal Cuts
- Rogers Said He Loves DOGE's Cuts and Would Make Them Permanent. At an April 2026 Saginaw County event, Mike Rogers said, "I tried to talk to them earlier, and I kept saying, you're going to cut it, and that's great, and I love it. But if you don't legislate that they can't grow after this, then we're going to be right back in the same boat." He added, "I can't wait to get my hands around that budget".
- Rogers Pledged in February 2026 to Protect the 10 Percent Federal Workforce Cut. Rogers said, "10% less federal employees, 10% in one year. People said it couldn't be done ... If we're going to protect that, he needs help in the United States Senate." The Social Security Administration alone pushed out more than 8,000 workers in 15 months.
- Rogers Said He Advised DOGE to Permanently Limit Staffing. In March 2026, Rogers said, "I tried to tell the DOGE people, been here, done that ... you can't have 100 people anymore, you got to have 60 or whatever it is", and the Metro Times found he advised DOGE to permanently limit federal staffing and replace workers with technology.
- Rogers Raised Money to Shield Elon Musk From DOGE Oversight in July 2026. A Rogers fundraising appeal said, "When you stand with my Senate campaign today, you are directly shielding Elon Musk," and asked for an "immediate, urgent contribution right now to protect Elon and save America" after a House Democrat called for subpoenaing Musk over DOGE.
What the DOGE Cuts Mike Rogers Praised Cost Michigan
- Michigan Social Security offices have fewer people to answer calls. From January 2025 to April 2026, the Social Security Administration lost 136 Michigan workers, 11 percent, including 92 customer service staff, and CBPP reports phone wait times are much longer than publicly advertised.
- Heating aid for more than 430,000 Michigan residents lost its federal staff. The administration cut the entire staff administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in April 2025; LIHEAP money helped 430,777 Michigan residents with home heating in fiscal 2023.
- Great Lakes scientists who track toxic algae were cut. NOAA's Ann Arbor research station lost eight employees, about 20 percent of its staff, and E&E News reported the cuts could increase the risk of human exposure to harmful algal blooms; the Metro Times noted the Ann Arbor lab tracks toxic algae that can threaten drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions Mike Rogers on DOGE and Federal Workers
What is Mike Rogers's record on DOGE and federal workers under Trump?
Mike Rogers, Michigan's Republican Senate nominee, said of DOGE's cuts "that's great, and I love it", pledged to protect the 10 percent federal workforce cut and wants the cuts written into law. Michigan lost Social Security staff, LIHEAP administrators and Great Lakes researchers in those cuts.
What has Mike Rogers said about Elon Musk and DOGE?
Mike Rogers sent a July 2026 fundraising appeal telling donors they would be "directly shielding Elon Musk" from a Senate subpoena over DOGE, and called the oversight push a "socialist retaliation plot."
Would Mike Rogers make the DOGE cuts permanent?
Yes. Mike Rogers said, "if you don't legislate that they can't grow after this, then we're going to be right back in the same boat", and that he would start trimming the budget "as fast as we possibly can."
Last updated: 2026-10-28