Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn himself from consideration for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator position. He was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump for the DEA job on November 30.
At the time, Sheriff Chronister described the appointment as the "honor of a lifetime" but withdrew, stating that "there is more work to be done" in the Hillsborough area.
To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully… pic.twitter.com/bvNF8m9Bh4
— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) December 3, 2024
"To have been nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. 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. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling," said Sheriff Chronister.
He concluded by saying he is committed to serving Hillsborough County.
"I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County," said Chronister.
Despite Chronister withdrawing, the move from President-elect Trump appeared to be reinforcing a pattern as a large amount of his cabinet positions have come from the State of Florida, such as Senator Marco Rubio (Secretary of State), Representative Mike Waltz (National Security Advisor), and Pam Bondi (Attorney General) among others.
Trump said the following about Sheriff Chronister on Saturday when he appointed him for the DEA position:
"I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). 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 continued by sharing Chonrister's credentials.
"A proud graduate of the FBI National Academy's 260th Session, Chad is Co-Chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay, Council Member of the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, Chairman of the Criminal Justice Sub-Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council, and Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Citizen Oversight Committee," said Trump. "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. Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!"
Should Trump wish to pull from Florida sheriff well once again, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd could be a name to keep in mind.
