Trump's DEA pick Chad Chronister withdraws from consideration

Dec. 3 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Tuesday he has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Chad Chronister, who is the sheriff of Hillsborough County in Florida, withdrew from consideration to become the next DEA administrator three days after Trump announced his nomination.

"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 wrote in a post on X.

"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 as Sheriff of Hillborough County," Chronister added.

Trump's transition team had not commented on Chronister's withdrawal after Trump announced his choice to lead the DEA on Saturday.

"I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency," the president-elect wrote in a post on Truth Social. "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."

Over the weekend, Chronister responded in a post on X, saying "I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation."

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., responded to Chronister's announcement, writing Tuesday in a post on X that he was "glad to see him withdraw."

"This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic," Massie wrote. "He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin' minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution."

In March 2020, Chronister told reporters the pastor had shown "reckless disregard for human life and put hundreds of people from his congregation at risk."

Chronister is Trump's second nominee to withdraw from consideration. Last month, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew his name from consideration to serve as attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he has repeatedly denied.