Trump's DEA Nominee Chronister Criticized for Arresting Pastor, Unvaccinated Deputy Policies

Dec 1, 2024, 08:06 PM

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has drawn significant criticism due to Chronister's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his policy stances. In 2020, Chronister oversaw the arrest of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, the leader of a megachurch in Tampa, Florida, for holding church services in violation of public health orders. This move was regarded by some as an egregious abuse of government power, leading Governor Ron DeSantis to pardon the pastor and remove the local prosecutor involved. Critics have also highlighted allegations that Chronister withheld sick pay from unvaccinated deputies who became ill, while providing benefits to those who were vaccinated. Commentators point to his support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within law enforcement, as evidenced by his statements that "Diversity is the cornerstone of our strength." Furthermore, Chronister is reported to have refused to participate in federal immigration enforcement programs, stating that such participation "discourages victims from coming forward." During the civil unrest in May 2020, Chronister reportedly refused to enforce curfews, describing the protests as "mostly law-abiding," in contrast to his strict enforcement of curfews during the pandemic. He has also been quoted expressing disillusionment with his own party, stating, "The right's gone way too far right for me." Opponents argue that these actions reflect a pattern of selective law enforcement and ideological alignment that make him an unsuitable choice to lead the DEA. However, the predominant concern among critics is that his history of pandemic-related enforcement actions, alleged discrimination against unvaccinated officers, and refusal to enforce certain federal laws undermine his suitability for a major federal law enforcement role.