Trump DEA Pick Withdraws Over Conservative Backlash

by Seamus Othot | Dec 4, 2024

Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew his name from consideration for the top spot in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Tuesday following conservative backlash just days after President-elect Donald Trump chose him for the job.

President Trump announced Chronister as his pick for DEA head on Saturday, and though he initially accepted the position, he withdrew himself from consideration just four days later, on Tuesday evening.

“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,” said Chronister, announcing his withdrawal on X

“I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County,” he added.

Chronister only vaguely addressed his reason for dropping out, suggesting that he is unwilling to give up his work as Sheriff of Florida and that there are initiatives he wants to see through to their conclusion.

He conspicuously failed to acknowledge the significant backlash against him from many conservatives after details of his record as sheriff came to light.

Instead, he celebrated the “outpouring of support” that he allegedly saw from “the American people” in general.

As Sheriff, Chronister became a champion of the draconian government lockdowns imposed during the COVID pandemic, even boasting on social media after arresting a pastor for preaching during lockdowns.

He also established the Sheriff’s Department LGBT liaison program to push the LGBT agenda on the public and support radical transgender ideology for children.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) staunchly opposed Chronister for a position in the upcoming Trump administration and took to X to celebrate his withdrawal from consideration as DEA head.

“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,” said Rep. Massie.

Trump has not yet commented on Chronister’s withdrawal, and it is unclear if he was involved in the sheriff’s decision to step down.

The president-elect did not immediately name a new pick to serve as the DEA’s chief administrator.

Chronister is not the first of Trump’s cabinet picks to withdraw from consideration.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his name from consideration for Attorney General after facing significant backlash.

Rep. Gaetz, however, was supported by many of the Republicans who opposed Chronister and opposed by more establishment Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Trump named the former Florida Attorney General to replace Gaetz just hours after Gaetz withdrew from consideration.

Seamus Othot is a reporter for The Maine Wire. He grew up in New Hampshire, and graduated from The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, where he was able to spend his time reading the great works of Western Civilization. He can be reached at [email protected]

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