Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister during a press conference at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Administration Building on Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Tampa, Florida Expressing support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement of the suspension of Hillsborough County State’s Attorney Andrew Warren.
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times, Associated Press
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chad Chronister, said Tuesday that he will no longer be considered for the position.
Chronister, who serves as the Sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, said he would reject Trump’s nomination to be the next Drug Enforcement Administration director three days after Trump announced his nomination. He is the second person Trump has chosen to join the administration to remove his name from the race, following former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. abandoned his bid to become attorney general last month.
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“Nominated by the President-elect @realDonaldTrump It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Chronister write on X Tuesday night. “Over the past few days, as this very important responsibility has grown increasingly serious, I have come to the conclusion that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration.”
Chronister cited the ongoing work needed to serve the people of Hillsborough County “as well as the many initiatives that I am committed to.”
A spokesman for the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Over the weekend, Trump appointed Chronister as Drug Enforcement Administration director, a position within the Justice Department that requires Senate confirmation.
in a postal Trump said on Saturday’s “Truth Society” that Chronister “will work with our great Attorney General Pam Bondi to secure the border, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs across the southern border, and Save lives.
Chronister responds positively to proposed nomination Post on X “I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country,” he wrote on Saturday.
Chronister was first appointed Sheriff by then-Gov. In 2017, Rick Scott, now a member of the U.S. Senate. According to the Sheriff’s website.
While Scott called Chronister an “incredible choice,” some Republicans were angry about his selection for the top DEA job and welcomed his exit.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, mentioned 2020 Rodney Howard Brown ArrestA Florida pastor was charged with violating a local pandemic order banning mass gatherings and was booked for unlawful assembly and violating public health emergency rules.
“This Sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor who held services during the COVID-19 scare. Trump appointed him DEA Director,” Massey say on X. “Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-loving heads, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”
When reached for comment, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office referred NBC News to Chronister’s website. Statement about Xbut did not answer a question about whether criticism played a role in Chronister’s decision.
Chronister told reporters in March 2020 He sought an arrest warrant for the pastor because he “put hundreds of people in his church at risk with his reckless disregard for human life” and threatened “thousands of residents who may interact with them this week.”
Chronister is not the first Trump pick to no longer be considered for office in his second term.
In November, Gaetz, R-Fla. withdrew his name He is no longer considered for justice minister due to sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.
