MIKE ROGERS JUSTIFIES TRUMP’S TARIFFS WITH RETURN OF MANUFACTURING JOBS, WHICH ARE DECREASING During a town hall event last week, Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers defended President Donald Trump’s tariff policy with the argument that manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States, which is statistically false. During the event, which was held in Metamora (in Michigan’s 9th Congressional District) last Wednesday, Rogers was asked what policies he supports for reversing the offshoring of jobs. In audio obtained by Heartland Signal, Rogers argued that Trump’s tariffs are helping jobs come back from overseas, and that is worth the financial strife being put on the American people, even making fun of those who worry about higher prices. “And when the Democrats start getting at us, oh my gosh, coffee went up. You know, horror,” Rogers mocked. “Okay, I don't like that. Costs are up but I'm telling you what. I'd rather have good manufacturing jobs here.” Contrary to Rogers’ words, the manufacturing sector has seen major setbacks during Trump’s second term. According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment has been steadily increasing for the second month in a row. The data also shows 12,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector were lost in August, continuing a downward trend for manufacturing jobs since Trump formally implemented his tariffs in April (roughly 78,000 lost this year). According to USA Today, Trump’s trade war has added fuel to the fire in the form of a decline in consumer confidence, cracking down in immigration — which reduces the workforce for factories — and general uncertainty surrounding the president’s trade policies. Despite Trump’s promise that his tariffs will benefit U.S. companies, evidence proves the tariffs are having the opposite effect with Michigan businesses projected to have the third-most severe impact. The tariffs are also expected to significantly reduce the profit-sharing checks of United Auto Workers union members. Rogers did not respond to a request to comment on his belittling of the American economy and the rising costs for consumers associated with Trump’s tariffs. However, he has continuously defended the tariffs in his public appearances, calling them a “masterful” decision by Trump and an “absolute win” during a “Grassroots Army” podcast appearance in April. Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Joey Hannum said Rogers is supporting policies that are killing the jobs he claims to support. "Mike Rogers is campaigning on a toxic agenda that's draining Michigan families' bank accounts while devastating the manufacturing jobs he claims to support," said Hannum. "Instead of mocking families struggling with rising costs, Rogers should explain why he's pushing policies that are killing good-paying manufacturing jobs." Rogers announced his second consecutive U.S. Senate run in April after losing to now Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D) last November. Rogers is seeking to flip the seat currently held by Sen. Gary Peters (D), who is not running for reelection next year. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
