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Trump's DEA Pick, Florida Sheriff Who Arrested Pastor, Withdraws Amid COVID Backlash

Dec 3, 2024, 10:59 PM

On December 2, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to serve as the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The nomination was met with mixed reactions from conservatives and Republican lawmakers. Critics, including Representative Thomas Massie, pointed to Chronister's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, notably the arrest of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for defying lockdown orders, his support for COVID restrictions, and perceived liberal stances. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis supported Chronister, stating, "When we removed Soros-backed prosecutor Andrew Warren from office, nobody supported us more strongly than Sheriff Chad Chronister." Despite the support, on December 3, just one day after the nomination, Chronister announced his withdrawal from consideration, saying, "There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County." He became the second Trump nominee to withdraw shortly after being nominated.