In a striking call to action, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican Senate candidate from Michigan, has proposed deploying the National Guard to combat Detroit’s soaring crime rates.
According to Breitbart, in an exclusive interview on Breitbart News Saturday, Rogers, endorsed by President Donald Trump, pressed for federal intervention to address Detroit’s status as one of the nation’s most violent cities and criticized both local leadership and a Democratic opponent on their stances.
Rogers, who represented Michigan in Congress previously, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in April, though the specific year was not disclosed. As a Trump-endorsed candidate, he has positioned himself as a strong advocate for law and order in his home state. His latest proposal focuses on Detroit, a city grappling with significant safety challenges.
During his interview, Rogers directly appealed to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to seek assistance from President Trump. He suggested replicating a crime reduction strategy that he claims proved successful in Washington, D.C. Rogers emphasized the urgency, stating, “Hey, Mr. Mayor, pick up the phone and call the president and request some backup.”
Detroit, according to Rogers, ranks as the second most violent city in the U.S., just behind Memphis. He cited alarming figures, noting that the city’s aggravated assault rate is over 500% higher than the national average. Additionally, Rogers pointed out that murder, rape, and robbery rates are significantly elevated compared to national figures.
These statistics, as per Rogers, were reported by Detroit to the FBI, forming the basis of his argument. However, he accused Mayor Duggan of attempting to challenge the validity of these numbers. Rogers remarked, “The mayor has been trying to dispute the statistics, but they were given from Detroit to the FBI.”
Beyond numbers, Rogers expressed deep concern for Detroit residents, particularly in struggling areas. He argued that economic hardship should not equate to living with constant danger. “There’s a lot of neighborhoods in Detroit that just aren’t safe to be in, and it’s not fair to the people who are playing by the rules,” he said.
Rogers also aimed at Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democratic opponent from Michigan, accusing her of inconsistency. He noted that Stevens had previously supported National Guard deployment in Chicago in 2016 after a violent holiday weekend. On July 5, 2016, Stevens had posted, “It is time to call in the National Guard. Enough is enough.”
However, Stevens recently criticized Rogers’ idea for Detroit, calling it misguided. Last week, she posted, “Mike Rogers just called to deploy the National Guard to Detroit. Was wrong in ‘67 and it’s wrong now.” She referenced a historical event from 1967, though specifics were not provided in her statement.
Stevens also expressed concern about broader consequences, warning of potential overreach. She stated, “This is exactly why I introduced a bill to stop Trump’s abuse of power, because this chaos won’t stop in someone else’s community.” Her comments suggest a fear that such actions could spread beyond Detroit.
In response, Rogers defended his stance, arguing that repeating failed policies yields no progress. He highlighted the need to disrupt ongoing cycles of violence and despair. “If we continue to do the same thing over and over, we’re going to get the same result,” he told his interviewer.
Rogers also connected Detroit’s crime problem to broader systemic failures in Michigan, particularly in education. He noted that nearly half of the state’s fourth graders are not reading at grade level. According to him, this early struggle significantly increases the likelihood of negative life outcomes.
Delving deeper, Rogers shared a stark statistic about educational impacts. He claimed that children not reading by fourth grade face a 70% chance of incarceration or welfare dependency. “We’re sentencing them to poverty,” he lamented during the interview. Rogers reiterated that innovative approaches, like those seen in Washington, D.C., are essential for change. He believes such strategies could offer a model for Detroit’s revival. “What you saw happen in Washington, D.C., is breaking the cycle,” he explained.
At the core of Rogers’ message is a desire to restore safety to Detroit’s neighborhoods. He stressed that law-abiding citizens deserve environments free from fear. His call for federal support underscores a broader vision for community well-being. The debate between Rogers and Stevens highlights a sharp divide on addressing urban violence. While Rogers pushes for immediate, robust intervention, Stevens warns of historical missteps and potential overreach. Their clash frames a critical issue for Michigan voters in this Senate race.