Trump’s Nominee for DEA Chief Withdraws From Consideration

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‘I sincerely appreciate the nomination,’ Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister wrote on X.

Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County Sheriff in Florida, withdrew his bid to become head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) next year days after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the role.

Chronister posted to X on Dec. 3, stating that he made the decision after considering the “gravity of this very important responsibility,” and that he has more to do in his current law enforcement role.

Trump announced his nomination of Chronister on Nov. 30, stating, “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.”

The president-elect has yet to comment on the withdrawal.

Chronister initially accepted the nomination on Nov. 30, calling it “the honor of a lifetime,” and saying he was “deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation.”

He would have been the second high-ranking member of Trump’s administration from the Tampa Bay Area, if Bondi earns the Senate’s approval, and the eighth person from Florida.

The news of Chronister’s nomination was received with praise from several Florida lawmakers, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who was governor of the state when he appointed Chronister as sheriff in 2017.

“When I appointed Chad as Hillsborough County Sheriff in 2017, he had already spent more than 20 years in law enforcement fighting every day to protect Florida families,” the senator said in a Nov. 30 X post.

“His work over the last 7 years shows Chad’s dedication to cracking down on crime, fighting the fentanyl crisis, and showing up every day to keep Floridians safe.”

Chronister’s DEA nomination also drew immediate scrutiny, with dissenters recalling a moment in March 2020 when the sheriff oversaw the arrest of a pastor who defied COVID-era regulations.

“I’m going to call ‘em like I see ‘em. Trump’s nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest of a pastor who defied COVID lockdowns,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wrote on X on Dec. 1.

Two days later, Massie said he was glad to see Chronister withdraw from consideration.

“Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution,” Massie wrote on Dec. 3.

Chronister was unavailable to comment on Massie’s statement.

Chronister became the second person to decline a nomination from Trump, following fellow Floridian former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from U.S. attorney general consideration.

Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.