President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Tuesday he is withdrawing from consideration just three days after Trump made his nomination known.
Florida’s Hillsborough County Sherriff Chad Chronister said in a post on X Tuesday evening that he would instead tend to his current duties overseeing an area of the Sunshine State that includes Tampa Bay.
“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 said.
“There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” Chronister continued. “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 Hill has reached out to Trump’s spokesperson for a response to Chronister’s announcement.
Trump announced Chronister as his choice to lead the DEA in a Truth Social post on Saturday, tapping the local sheriff to take charge of the agency tasked with seizing illegal substances ranging from fentanyl to other opioids.
“I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),” Trump wrote.
“For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE,” Trump added.
Chronister’ background is mostly in law enforcement. He graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 260th Session, was co-chair of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay and had a tenure as a council member of the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
His withdrawal marks the second Trump nominee to do so. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who had been tapped to be attorney general, withdrew his candidacy eight days after Trump shocked the political world with his pick to run the lead law enforcement agency.
Gaetz was previously investigated by the Justice Department as part of a broader sex trafficking probe, including allegations involving an underage woman. The department ultimately decided not to pursue charges, and Gaetz has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
The Florida Republican’s quick withdrawal suggests he had realized he was unlikely to win the votes necessary to be confirmed in the Senate.
Updated 6 p.m. EST.
