Statements from major law enforcement organizations or media reports

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

Dec 3, 2024, 10:46 PM

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to serve as the administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on December 2, 2024. Chronister, who has been the sheriff in Florida, received support from some law enforcement leaders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, the nomination faced significant backlash from conservatives due to Chronister's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, he arrested Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for holding church services in defiance of lockdown orders and was criticized for discriminating against unvaccinated officers. Chronister also released 164 prisoners from his jail during the pandemic, one of whom was rearrested for second-degree murder. Critics pointed out his donations to Democratic politicians and support for Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ initiatives. Amid the mounting criticism, Chad Chronister announced on December 3, 2024, that he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the DEA administrator position, just three days after his nomination. He stated that he concluded he must respectfully withdraw to focus on serving the citizens of Hillsborough County. The Trump transition team acknowledged Chronister's decision, and the search for a new nominee will continue.