Florida Sheriff Withdraws from Trump's DEA Nomination Amid MAGA Criticism for Not Being 'Republican Enough'

Just three days after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to run the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister decided to withdraw his name from consideration. Chronister called Trump's nomination "the honor of a lifetime" and indicated he had yet to fulfill "a lot of initiatives" in his current role.

"To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. 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. 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, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County."

- Chad Chronister, Hillsborough Sheriff

Trump announced Chronister's nomination via his Truth Social account on November 30, positioning him as an award-winning and experienced law enforcement leader. "As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES," he wrote.

Chronister, who has over 32 years of experience serving in law enforcement, has been criticized by MAGA supporters for not being "Republican enough." The Hillsborough sheriff faced resurfaced backlash for his 2020 arrest of a local pastor who refused to abide by COVID-19 lockdown orders. Critics also brought back a video in which the sheriff praises the "rich diversity" of his community and states that his office "does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities." Another video circulating online shows Chronister participating in a Tampa Pride parade, voicing his support for the LGBTQ community.

According to CNN, Chronister's wife is the daughter of former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. In 2020, DeBartolo received Trump's presidential pardon for failing to report a felony in a bribery case.

The Florida sheriff becomes Trump's second cabinet nominee to bow out before receiving Senate confirmation, following former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, who was picked to serve as attorney general. Gaetz withdrew after his ability to serve was questioned by both Republican and Democratic leaders over a federal sex trafficking investigation.