Trump DEA Nominee Withdraws From Consideration

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from consideration to become President-elect Donald Trump‘s administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

“To have been nominated by President-Elect [Trump] to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister said in a statement posted to X.

To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully… pic.twitter.com/bvNF8m9Bh4

— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) December 3, 2024

“Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” he added. “There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling.”

Chronister concluded: “I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”

Trump announced on Saturday that he nominated Chronister, who was appointed by then-Florida Governor Rick Scott to be the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County in 2017, to become DEA administrator in a statement that lauded the sheriff for his awards and record of service.

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“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 a statement. “Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!”

However, Chronister faced blowback from some conservatives over a number of issues, including the 2020 arrest of Florida pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for allegedly defying social distancing orders during the COVID pandemic, pressing his deputies get the jab, and releasing 164 inmates in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading COVID in jail.

“This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said in a post to X. “He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”

Another of Trump’s picks, now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), withdrew from consideration to be U.S. attorney general last month amid some GOP pushback and the House Ethics Committee weighing the release of a report on alleged sexual misconduct. Gaetz has denied the claims. Trump then selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to take on the role.