Trump’s DEA Nominee Chad Chronister Withdraws from Consideration After Past Comes Back to Haunt Him
On December 3, 2024, Chad Chronister, the Hillsborough County sheriff in Florida, withdrew his candidacy for the position of Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after facing significant backlash from conservative circles. President-elect Donald Trump had nominated Chronister for the role just a few days earlier, praising his 32 years of service and highlighting his efforts in tackling issues such as human trafficking.
However, Chronister’s nomination garnered criticism, particularly due to his past actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he arrested a Christian pastor for holding in-person church services. This decision was seen as overreach by many conservatives, leading to calls for Trump to retract his nomination. Critics accused Chronister of being a “COVID tyrant” and expressed concerns about his alignment with conservative values,citing his support for policies perceived as liberal,including diversity,equity,and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and his donations to Democratic candidates.
In a social media post, Chronister stated that while he was honored by the nomination, he felt compelled to withdraw to continue his responsibilities to the citizens of Hillsborough County. This decision was viewed as wise, as securing confirmation in the face of increasing opposition would likely have cost Trump valuable political capital.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the next head of the Drug Enforcement Agency withdrew his name Tuesday after receiving considerable conservative blowback.
Hillsborough County, Florida, Sheriff Chad Chronister wrote in a post on social media platform X, “To have been nominated by President-Elect [Donald Trump] 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,” 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. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County,” the sheriff concluded.
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
On Nov. 30, when Trump nominated Chronister, he praised the lawman’s 32 years of service in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, whose jurisdiction includes the city of Tampa.
The president-elect highlighted the sheriff’s work in addressing human trafficking and school safety, among other matters.
“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 concluded.
However, conservatives were not pleased with the pick.
Among Chronister’s most odious errors in judgment was arresting a Christian pastor who held church services during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor for holding church in person during the pandemic.
Chronister held a press conference bragging about the arrest.
Chronister abused his power; he’s unfit to lead the DEA.
Trump should withdraw his nomination. pic.twitter.com/8jXtoPIX8q
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) December 1, 2024
GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky wrote on X: “Trump’s nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest a [of] pastor who defied COVID lockdowns.”
I’m going to call ‘em like I see ‘em. Trump’s nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest a pastor who defied COVID lockdowns. https://t.co/pHSmGr81Tz
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 1, 2024
While Chronister was hard on Christians trying to worship, he went easy on Black Lives Matter rioters during the same timeframe.
Florida police have released footage of the mass looting of a Walmart during the BLM race riots. pic.twitter.com/Gvv91hMzcR
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 12, 2020
Christian conservative political consultant Spence Rogers, who noted he lives in the Tampa Bay area, offered several reasons to reject Chronister as DEA administrator in a Sunday post on X.
I am from Tampa Bay, Florida. I have followed Chad Chronister’s career and people are asking me why he is a bad pick to be head of DEA. Conservatives here do not support Chronister. Chronister is a woke and weak Democrat plant and will backstab President Trump. He cannot be… pic.twitter.com/AfGxiFXvIc
— Spence Rogers (@SpenceRogers) December 1, 2024
Rogers listed the sheriff’s embrace of transgenderism, promotion of DEI policies, donations to Democrats like Barack Obama and support for red flag laws.
Needless to say, it was going to be uphill sledding to get Chronister confirmed.
The nominee might have been able to string together a group of moderate Republicans and Democrats to get him over the finish line, but it was not going to be pretty and would have cost Trump a lot of political capital.
It was a good move for the sheriff (and the president-elect) to pull out of this fight.
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