Chad Chronister announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing his name to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency, three days after being elected president. Donald Trump done announced that he had chosen Hillsborough County, Florida, for the position of sheriff.
Although Trump praised Chronister and said he would work to “stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs,” there was backlash from conservatives against Chronister for enforcing COVID-19 lockdowns during the pandemic.
Chronister said in one publish in X that he wanted to “work more for the people” of his region.
In this Oct. 15, 2024, file photo, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister speaks during a press conference in the Falkenburg Road Jail Assembly Room at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Fla.
Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock, FILE
“Being nominated by President-elect @realDonaldTrump to be the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. As the gravity of this very important responsibility has set in over the past few days, I have come to the conclusion that it must be respectfully dismissed,” he said in his post.
Trump had no immediate comment.
The position requires Senate approval.
During a time of pandemic, Chronister arrested a pastor who defied lockdown orders and held a service that was dismissed by many prominent conservatives.
Many of the sheriff’s opponents applauded his decision to step down.
“I’m glad to see that he’s considering it. The next time politicians lose their lovable selves, they can get themselves back by following the Constitution,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said. Posted in X on tuesday
ABC News’ Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.
