Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Chad Chronister, Sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, and Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced Tuesday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration. Chronister’s decision marks the second withdrawal of a Trump nominee requiring Senate confirmation in recent weeks.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Chronister described the nomination as “the honor of a lifetime” but said he felt compelled to step back. “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 wrote, without further elaboration.
Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the withdrawal.
Chronister’s nomination faced swift backlash from conservative circles, primarily over his handling of a COVID-19 incident and his stance on federal immigration enforcement. In March 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Chronister arrested a megachurch pastor who held services in defiance of safer-at-home orders. At the time, Chronister condemned the pastor’s decision. “Shame on this pastor… for forcing us to do our job,” Chronister said. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.”
The arrest drew renewed criticism, including from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who said Chronister’s actions during the pandemic should disqualify him from the DEA role.
Further criticism emerged from a resurfaced 2023 video where Chronister discussed immigration enforcement, emphasizing that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities” and praising the “rich diversity” of his community. Chronister’s comments ran counter to Trump’s hardline immigration policies, which remain central to the president-elect’s platform.
This withdrawal follows that of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, who bowed out amid scrutiny over a federal investigation. Chronister’s departure highlights the challenges Trump’s nominees face in securing conservative support and navigating Senate confirmation.
Trump’s transition team has yet to name a replacement for Chronister, leaving the future of the DEA leadership uncertain as the new administration prepares to take office.
