Some conservatives expressed concern Sunday over President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that he would nominate Republican Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to head the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
President Trump said in a statement Saturday that he plans to nominate Chronister to head the Drug Enforcement Administration in his second administration, and the Florida sheriff will work with his attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi. Securing our borders, stopping the flow of fentanyl, and more.” Illegal drugs cross the southern border. After his initial announcement, Chronister received praise from colleagues and others, but some Republicans began to push back against him for his actions during the coronavirus lockdown.
March 2020, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released A press statement said the pastor of a local Tampa Bay church, Dr. Rodney Howard Brown, was arrested on two second-degree misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violating public health emergency regulations. in post As for the Mississippi Libertarian Party's X, the group condemned Chronister's decision to arrest Howard Brown, prompting Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie to respond.
“I'm going to call them the same way I saw them. President Trump's nominee for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration was disqualified for ordering the arrest of a pastor who didn't comply with coronavirus lockdowns.” It should be,” Massey wrote to X.
I'm going to call them as soon as I see them. President Trump's nominee to head the DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest of a pastor who disobeyed coronavirus lockdowns. https://t.co/pHSmGr81Tz
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 1, 2024
Conservative podcasters Hodge Twins and journalist Mike Cernovich also criticized Trump's choices regarding X, highlighting Chronister's stance on the coronavirus at the time of the incident. (Related: 'Terrible development': FBI deputy director Trump's nomination 'signals' plan to 'disrupt, dismantle and distract' government agency)
This person cannot be the leader of the DEA. @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/OsKOlFmhA0
— Hodget Twins (@hodgetwins) December 1, 2024
Trump's DEA choices discriminated against unvaccinated law enforcement officers under his command. pic.twitter.com/xCEiZWYQyX
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) December 1, 2024
Media personality John Cardillo updated his original post praising the Florida sheriff with “Andrew Mr. Warren has been indicted and the Soros-funded prosecutor DeSantis has been fired,” he wrote on X. From the office. ”
I deleted my post supporting Chronister as President Trump's nominee for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Chronister arrests pastor during church service over coronavirus security charges because Soros-funded prosecutor DeSantis was to be indicted for “coronavirus'' by fired Andrew Warren I had completely forgotten that I was a government official.
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) December 1, 2024
Chronister publicly thanked Trump for winning the nomination on social media, but said Podcaster Tim Poole said he was “deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation” and called for him to serve prison time instead.
Let's reconsider this after serving time for conspiracy against the right for arresting a pastor during the coronavirus lockdown https://t.co/Fl4JLCBIzO
— Tim Poole (@Timcast) December 1, 2024
At the time of Howard Brown's arrest, Chronister said that while faith is important and authorities will “never interfere with an individual's ability to rely on religious beliefs as a means of solace,” those who practice their faith can do so “safely.” said it must be done.
“His reckless disregard for human life puts hundreds of his members at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week,” Chronister said. “Tampa Bay River has an advantage over most houses of worship because Tampa Bay Houses of Worship has the ability to live stream worship services over the internet and broadcast television for over 4,000 members to watch safely from home.” Because we have access to technology that
In addition to arresting a local pastor, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released 164 inmates in March 2020 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in county jails.
“We want to protect our employees here. We want to protect the rest of the population in our prisons. We also want to protect these low-level, non-violent offenders from their families and We feel we will be better served at home together,” Chronister said at the time.
However, just one day after their release, one of the inmates, 26-year-old Joseph Edwards Williams, was re-arrested on charges of second-degree murder in connection with the killings, along with felonies in possession of a firearm, possession of heroin, and resisting. . Arrested.
“There is no question that Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit a crime while he was out of prison awaiting resolution of a minor, non-violent crime,” Chronister said after the incident. said. “As a result, I urge the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
Chronister and the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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