Rogers Earned More Than $420,000 From Pentagon Warfare Consultancy

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers received more than $420,000 for serving on the MITRE Corporation’s board of trustees from 2017 through 2023, including a period as chair. He left the board as he began his first Senate campaign. MITRE’s chief executive said Rogers was recruited for his national security expertise.

The consultancy is coordinating Project Meridian, a Pentagon initiative on future warfare announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on September 30. Hegseth identified Elon Musk, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and technology entrepreneur Palmer Luckey as key participants in the effort.

Former defense officials have raised concerns that the project could favor military technologies, including drones and space systems, made by companies associated with Musk and Luckey. Musk is also one of Rogers’ biggest backers via his America PAC.

Rogers has backed the U.S. war with Iran, an issue that has become a vulnerability in his contest against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. A poll cited in coverage of the race found that as many as 67 percent of Michigan voters disapproved of the war.

In March, Rogers said certain conditions should be met before the war ends. More recently, he told Fox News that the United States should begin winding it down.

Rogers’ MITRE Pay Raises Questions About War Plans and Donor Ties

Mike Rogers earned more than $420,000 from MITRE while serving on its board from 2017 to 2023. The Republican Senate candidate left as he launched his first Senate campaign, but the firm is now coordinating a Pentagon project on future warfare, creating questions about the overlap between his paid role and the military agenda he supports.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian on September 30 and named Elon Musk, former Speaker Newt Gingrich and technology entrepreneur Palmer Luckey to senior roles. Former defense officials have warned that the project could steer military priorities toward drones and space systems produced by companies associated with Musk and Luckey. Musk is also among Rogers’ strongest backers via America PAC.

That convergence deserves scrutiny as Rogers seeks a Senate seat and backs the Iran war. A poll found up to 67 percent of Michigan voters disapproved of the war, making his hawkish record a political liability. In March, Rogers said conditions should dictate when the conflict ends; more recently, he has said the United States should start winding it down.

Voters are being asked to weigh Rogers’ national security credentials against his paid connection to a firm shaping Pentagon planning, his support for the war and his ties to a major political backer.

Rogers’ Security Expertise Helped MITRE as Pentagon Plans Ahead

Mike Rogers received more than $420,000 for six years of service on the MITRE Corporation’s board, where its chief executive said he brought extensive national security expertise. Rogers left the board in 2023 as he began his first Senate campaign; MITRE is now helping coordinate the Pentagon’s effort to study future warfare.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian on September 30, naming Elon Musk, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and technology entrepreneur Palmer Luckey as senior participants. Former defense officials have raised concerns about the direction of the project, including the possibility it could favor drones and space systems made by companies associated with Musk and Luckey. Musk is also a major supporter of Rogers through America PAC.

The reported board compensation does not itself establish that Rogers directed the project or influenced its decisions. The question of his Iran war stance is also part of the campaign: a poll found up to 67 percent of Michigan voters disapproved of the war. Rogers said in March that its end should depend on conditions, and more recently has called for winding it down.

The central facts are Rogers’ prior board service, MITRE’s current Pentagon role and the concerns raised about the project’s priorities. Rogers is running against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.