President-elect Donald Trump’s recent pick for the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, Florida, has withdrawn from consideration following intense criticism from conservatives.
Chronister, a veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office with 32 years of service, was initially seen as a neutral, non-controversial choice.
First appointed by former Florida Governor Rick Scott, Chronister was later elected twice more by Hillsborough County voters.
However, once his record as sheriff came under scrutiny, many Trump supporters voiced strong opposition, citing policies and decisions that conflicted with MAGA principles.
Chronister addressed the controversy in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he announced his decision to step aside.
“To have been nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote.
He continued, “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.”
He added, “There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination,