Abdul El-Sayed Targets Mike Rogers Over Surveillance Record

The campaign’s new digital ad, titled "Mike Rogers is watching you," highlights the Republican’s tenure as chair of the House Intelligence Committee from 2011 to 2015. The video features archival footage of Rogers defending the PATRIOT Act and dismissing public concerns regarding warrantless NSA spying. In one 2013 hearing, Rogers famously suggested that privacy violations are only problematic if the subject remains unaware of them.

El-Sayed’s team has launched a dedicated website, MikeIsWatching.com, to archive Rogers' legislative history, including his defense of retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies and his opposition to warrant requirements for domestic surveillance. While Rogers’ spokesperson insists he opposes the unchecked use of modern tools like Flock cameras, the Democratic nominee is betting that the candidate's past record will alienate voters increasingly wary of government and corporate overreach. With recent polling showing that over 70% of Americans fear technology's impact on state spying capabilities, El-Sayed’s strategy aligns with a broader national trend of Democrats framing their opponents as complicit in the expansion of digital surveillance.