Trump’s Pick for DEA Chief Withdraws from Nomination Process

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from consideration to become the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under President-elect Donald Trump. Chronister, initially praised for his service record, faced mounting criticism from conservatives over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To have been nominated by President-Elect [Trump] to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter). “However, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling.”

The Fallout:

• Past Controversies: Chronister faced significant backlash for decisions made during the pandemic, including the 2020 arrest of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for defying social distancing orders, pressuring deputies to get vaccinated, and releasing 164 inmates to curb the spread of COVID in jails.

• GOP Criticism: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was among the vocal critics, posting on X, “This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”

Trump’s nomination of Chronister was part of his broader plan to revamp federal law enforcement and crack down on the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. “As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES,” Trump said in his initial announcement.

The Road Ahead:

This marks the second high-profile Trump nominee to withdraw recently, following Matt Gaetz stepping aside as a candidate for U.S. attorney general last month amid GOP concerns and an ongoing ethics investigation. Trump ultimately chose former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role.

Chronister’s withdrawal highlights the tightrope Trump must walk in appointing officials who align with his administration’s goals while also maintaining support from his conservative base. As the President-elect continues to shape his cabinet, the focus now turns to finding a DEA chief capable of leading the charge against America’s drug crisis without sparking backlash.

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