President-elect Donald Trump’s recent pick for the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, Florida, has withdrawn from consideration following intense criticism from conservatives.
Chronister, a veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office with 32 years of service, was initially seen as a neutral, non-controversial choice.
First appointed by former Florida Governor Rick Scott, Chronister was later elected twice more by Hillsborough County voters.
However, once his record as sheriff came under scrutiny, many Trump supporters voiced strong opposition, citing policies and decisions that conflicted with MAGA principles.
Chronister addressed the controversy in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he announced his decision to step aside.
“To have been nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote.
He continued, “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.”
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
Chronister’s withdrawal comes just days after his nomination, indicating that the backlash from conservatives and Trump loyalists may have played a pivotal role in his decision.
Critics were quick to highlight aspects of Chronister’s tenure as sheriff that conflicted with the priorities of Trump’s base. Among the most controversial moments was his handling of COVID-19 policies.
In March 2020, Chronister oversaw the arrest of Pastor Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne of The River at Tampa Bay Church for holding in-person services during the lockdowns.
This arrest occurred despite the church spending $100,000 on advanced air filtration systems to ensure safety.
Chronister’s support for progressive initiatives such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs also drew ire. In 2015, his office launched a recruitment campaign emphasizing diversity to “better reflect” the community it serves.
Perhaps most alarming to Second Amendment advocates were Chronister’s actions involving red-flag gun confiscation laws. His office reportedly used Risk Protection Orders multiple times, enabling authorities to strip individuals of their firearms without due process under the pretext of public safety.
Conservative commentators have welcomed Chronister’s withdrawal, calling it a necessary correction. Critics argued that his policies, particularly during the pandemic and regarding gun rights, made him an unfit choice for a role in a Republican administration.
“This is a win for MAGA,” one conservative pundit remarked. “We need leaders who protect constitutional freedoms, not those who enforce progressive overreach.”
The withdrawal leaves President-elect Trump with the task of selecting a new candidate to lead the DEA—one who aligns more closely with the principles of his base. Observers anticipate Trump’s next pick will resonate more with his supporters and avoid the controversy that plagued Chronister’s nomination.