Trump’s DEA Pick Withdraws Following Outrage Over Actions During COVID

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Republican Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, announced Tuesday on social media that he will withdraw his name following an online backlash.

Over the weekend, Trump announced he would tap Chronister to lead the DEA, stating that the Florida sheriff would join Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi to “secure the Border, stop the flow of fentanyl, and other illegal drugs across the Southern Border.” However, just a day after the announcement, conservatives online pushed back against the nomination, pointing to Chronister’s track record during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Chronister posted on X Tuesday afternoon, revealing that despite the nomination being “the honor of a lifetime,” he is withdrawing his name as there is “more work” in “Hillsborough County.”

“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.

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“There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” Chronister said. “I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”

Conservatives online criticized Chronister’s nomination, with many pointing to how he approved the arrest of local Tampa Bay church pastor Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne on two second-degree misdemeanors for unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules. According to a press release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in March 2020, Chronister said that while authorities “would never impede on someone’s ability to lean on their religious beliefs as a means of comfort,” those practicing their beliefs must do so “safely.”

“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week in danger,” Chronister said. “The River at Tampa Bay has an advantage over most places of worship, because they have access to technology that allows them to live stream their services over the internet and broadcast television for the more than 4,000 members to watch from the safety of their homes.”

However, not all were opposed to the Florida sheriff’s nomination. While colleagues praised the pick, Howard-Browne also released a video with the sheriff, calling him a friend and endorsing Chronister to lead the DEA.

“Yes, I did get arrested during COVID, but we’ve always been friends and we remain friends today,” Howard-Browne said in a video posted to X Sunday evening.