Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, has withdrawn his name from consideration. As the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, Chronister made the decision just three days after Trump announced his nomination. The move makes him the second of Trump’s picks to back out, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Chronister faced criticism from Trump’s base due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly his arrest of a pastor for violating lockdown orders in 2020. Despite initially being praised by Florida Republicans, Chronister decided to withdraw citing ongoing work commitments in Hillsborough County.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and others supported Chronister’s nomination, but his arrest of the pastor during the pandemic became a contentious issue. Trump praised Chronister’s appointment, stating he would work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to combat drug trafficking along the southern border. Chronister, who has served in law enforcement for 28 years, was appointed sheriff by former Governor Rick Scott in 2017.
Some congressional Republicans criticized Chronister for his handling of the pastor’s arrest, with Rep. Thomas Massie expressing relief at his withdrawal from consideration. While the sheriff’s office did not comment on the criticism’s role in Chronister’s decision, he had previously defended his actions as being in the public’s best interest. Chronister’s withdrawal adds to a list of Trump administration picks who have backed out, including Gaetz withdrawing from consideration for attorney general due to sexual misconduct allegations.
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