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Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough, US President-elect Donald Trump‘s pick for the role of Administrator of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has withdrawn his candidacy, citing his ongoing commitment to local initiatives.
“To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honour of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote in an X post on Wednesday.
“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. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” he added.
Chronister expressed gratitude for the nomination and vowed to continue serving as sheriff.
However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions. District 1 Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini called the withdrawal a “huge win for liberty,” while Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky criticised Chronister’s past actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution,” Massie wrote on X.
Chronister faced backlash in 2020 for arresting Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne, pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, for holding in-person services in violation of public health orders. At the time, Chronister defended the decision, “Announcing the arrest of Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne… who intentionally and repeatedly disregarded state and local public health orders, which put his congregation and our community in danger.,” he said. The charges were later dropped.
Some conservatives, including commentator Liz Wheeler, criticised Chronister’s nomination. “Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor… Chronister abused his power; he’s unfit to lead the DEA,” Wheeler wrote on X.
Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma defended Chronister, “What disqualifies somebody? We all make mistakes throughout life… give us an example of anybody that hasn’t made a mistake in the past,” he told Fox News.
Howard-Browne supported Chronister, sharing a video praising their restored friendship. “I truly believe he acted with the intention of doing the right thing,” he said, adding that they had reconciled over dinner after the incident.
Chronister’s decision leaves Trump searching for a new DEA nominee as his transition progresses.
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