Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to head the Drug Enforcement Administration, withdrew his name from consideration just three days after Trump announced his planned nomination. Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, is the second of Trump’s administration picks to drop out, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Chronister, who is a respected Florida law enforcement official, faced opposition from Trump’s political base due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, specifically his decision to arrest a pastor for defying lockdown orders in 2020.
Chronister cited his commitment to serving Hillsborough County as the reason for his withdrawal and expressed gratitude for the nomination. Republican leaders in Florida, including Governor Ron DeSantis, initially praised Chronister’s nomination, but many understood his decision to withdraw. Some Republicans criticized Chronister for his handling of the pandemic and objected to his nomination.
Despite the support of DeSantis, Chronister faced pushback at the national level for his actions during the pandemic. He sought an arrest warrant for the pastor, citing the potential risk to public health. Chronister’s decision to withdraw follows a pattern of Trump administration picks stepping down, such as Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Overall, Chronister’s withdrawal from consideration for the DEA administrator position was influenced by his handling of the pandemic and criticism from some Republicans.
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