FL Sheriff Chad Chronister Withdraws As DEA Chief Nominee

TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who was nominated only four days ago to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, withdrew from consideration on Tuesday.

Chronister said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” The sheriff did not specify what caused him to drop out of the nomination process, but the Associated Press reported some conservative Republicans complained Chronister for upholding COVID-19 restrictions and not being involved in immigration crackdowns.

“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,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump's transition team did not comment to the AP.

Chronister follows former Florida GOP congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer.

“There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” Chronister wrote. “I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”

The New York Times said Chronister was a surprising choice to run the nation’s top drug enforcement agency, which operates internationally and supervises investigations against Mexican drug cartels and Chinese money launderers. While he has worked in local law enforcement for 30 years, Chronister had no experience in the geopolitical aspects of the drug war.

Trump's pick of Chronister for the DEA job drew backlash from conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities,” the AP said.

In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid virus.

“Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.”

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those who objected publicly to the choice of Chronister, saying the Florida sheriff should be “disqualified” for the arrest.

Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Florida’s immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend.

In the video, Chronister praised the “rich diversity” of his community and called it “a place where people from all walks of life come together.”

He said it was important to note his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. That’s the authority of federal agencies.”

Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration.

Trump's Nomination Praise For Chronister, Background

In his Truth Social post announcing Chronister as his DEA administrator pick, Trump said he was pleased to nominate Chronister and highlighted his accomplishments in his 32-year career, saying he has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, and received countless commendations and awards "for keeping his community safe."

Chronister is "a proud graduate" of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy's 260th Session, Trump said.

Chronister also serves as co-chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay, a council member of the Florida Attorney General’s statewide council on human trafficking, and chairman of the criminal justice sub-committee, as well as vice-chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council.

He also serves as the vice-chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Citizen Oversight Committee.

Chronister has served as sheriff since 2017, according to his biography on his office's website.

This story contains reporting from The Associated Press.