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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Politics
Catherine Armecin Martin

'You Also Have to Protect Somebody': Republican Mike Rogers Defends Shielding Epstein Flight Passengers

Mike Rogers Jeffrey Epstein Republican Stephen Schwarzman FBI
Mike Rogers argues that unredacted Epstein files could ruin victims’ and legitimate associates’ reputations in the court of public opinion, explaining his opposition to their release. (Credit: Hudson Institute/Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has drawn criticism online over comments defending people who travelled on Jeffrey Epstein's aircraft without evidence of wrongdoing, arguing that their reputations should be protected.

The former FBI agent made the remarks during a July 2025 appearance on The Brian Kilmeade Show. A recording has circulated alongside reporting about donations to his campaign and political groups supporting his Senate bids.

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