Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the role of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator, which he was nominated for by President Donald Trump. In a post on social media platform X, Chronister expressed his gratitude for the nomination, calling it a significant honor.
However, he concluded that he needs to focus on his responsibilities in Hillsborough County, where he is committed to ongoing initiatives for the community. He mentioned that there is still much work to be done as sheriff and looks forward to continuing that important role.
Reaction to Chronister’s decision has been varied. Some conservative figures, like Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky, labeled his withdrawal as a win for personal liberties. Massie noted Chronister’s past decision to arrest a pastor for conducting services during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that this incident should warrant caution against his nomination. Massie stated that it’s important to uphold constitutional values, especially when officials seem to stray from them during crises.
Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma took a different stance, defending Chronister by saying that everyone makes mistakes. He questioned what disqualifies a person, pointing out that mistakes are a part of life for everyone.
Chronister’s controversial decision to arrest Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne back in March 2020 drew significant backlash. At that time, Chronister stated that the arrest was necessary to uphold public safety as the pastor was reportedly defying state and local health orders. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the incident left a mark on Chronister’s reputation among some conservatives.
Commentator Liz Wheeler and others criticized Trump’s choice, calling for the withdrawal of Chronister’s nomination based on his handling of the pandemic. They characterized Chronister as someone who overstepped his authority during the crisis.
Despite controversies, Pastor Howard-Browne publicly expressed his support for Chronister, emphasizing that he believes the sheriff acted with good intentions. He recalled their friendship and acknowledged that they managed to reconcile their differences after the arrest.
Chronister has served as sheriff since his appointment in 2017 by then-Governor Rick Scott and has been elected to the position twice since taking office.
