Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for DEA Administrator, withdraws amid controversy over his COVID-19 policies.
At a Glance
- Chad Chronister, Hillsborough County Sheriff, withdraws nomination for DEA Administrator
- Controversy stemmed from his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Conservative lawmakers and MAGA supporters criticized the nomination
- Chronister cited the gravity of the responsibility as reason for withdrawal
- This marks the second nominee to withdraw from a Trump administration post
Chronister Withdraws Nomination
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his nomination to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under President-elect Donald Trump. The decision comes in the wake of widespread criticism from conservative lawmakers and Trump supporters over Chronister’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chronister expressed gratitude for the nomination but ultimately decided to focus on serving Hillsborough County. In a statement, he said, “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 withdraw from consideration,” Chronister said.
Trump’s DEA Pick Withdraws Following Outrage Over Actions During COVID https://t.co/YspDjr85on
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 4, 2024
Controversy Surrounding Nomination
The nomination of Chronister sparked backlash from some of Trump’s supporters, including those in the MAGA movement. The primary source of contention was Chronister’s decision to arrest a pastor for violating lockdown orders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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 said.
Chronister defended the arrest, citing public health risks at the time. However, his perceived progressive stances, such as participating in the Tampa Pride Parade and supporting red flag laws, further contributed to the criticism from conservative circles.
Support and Opposition
Despite the controversy, Chronister received support from some colleagues and even the pastor he had arrested. Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, the pastor in question, stated, “Yes, I did get arrested during COVID, but we’ve always been friends and we remain friends today.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had also backed Chronister’s nomination.
Trump had initially announced Chronister’s nomination, highlighting his potential to secure the border and combat illegal drug flow. However, the DEA position requires Senate confirmation, and the growing opposition from conservative lawmakers likely factored into Chronister’s decision to withdraw.
Chronister becomes the second nominee to withdraw from a Trump administration post, following Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew amid a federal investigation. This development underscores the challenges in political appointments, where past professional decisions undergo rigorous scrutiny.
