President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Tuesday that he is resigning from the position following conservative backlash against his nomination.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister (described by some conservatives as a “coronavirus tyrant”) has only been elected by President Trump to head the nation's leading agency combating illegal drugs. He resigned after three days.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Chronister said in a statement.
“Over the past few days, I have felt the weight of this very important responsibility and have come to the conclusion that I must respectfully decline consideration,” the veteran officer added. “There is still much work to be done for the residents of Hillsborough County, and there are many commitments that I am committed to fulfilling.”
“I am deeply grateful for this appointment and the outpouring of support from the American people, and I look forward to continuing my duties as Hillsborough County Sheriff.”
Chronister's record as Hillsborough County Sheriff came under scrutiny shortly after his appointment, especially in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 30, 2020, Chronister ordered the arrest of Ronald Howard Brown, pastor of The River Tampa Bay church, for allegedly holding services at his church in defiance of COVID-19 lockdown orders. Ta.
Howard Brown “willfully and repeatedly ignored state and local public health orders, putting his congregation and our community at risk,” Chronister tweeted at the time.
The pastor was charged with unlawful assembly and violating public health emergency regulations. Both charges (second-degree misdemeanors) were later dropped.
After Howard Brown's arrest, Chronister said, “The State Attorney's Office recognized that compliance, not criminal penalties, was the focus of the emergency health law.”
“While law enforcement intervention through arrests has been rare during this health crisis and remains a necessary step to protect the health and safety of the community, in this case further criminal sanctions are not necessary. We agree.”
Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Chip Roy (R-Texas) both slammed Chronister's nomination.
“I'm going to call them the same way I saw them. President Trump's DEA Director nominee should be disqualified with arrest order. [of] A pastor who resisted the coronavirus lockdown,” Massey wrote to X.
“We don't need an authoritarian who refuses to exercise discretion and protect the Constitution, no matter which party is in power.” Roy told Fox News Digital..
Conservative commentator Liz Wheeler argued that Chronister “abused” his authority by arresting Howard Brown and was “unfit” to be head of the DEA.
“Chad Chronister is a coronavirus tyrant who arrested Christian pastors for holding in-person church during the pandemic,” she wrote on X.
“Chronister held a press conference and bragged about the arrests. Chronister abused his power. He is unfit to lead the DEA. Mr. Trump should withdraw his nomination.”
Howard Brown supported Chronister's nomination despite his arrest.
“I truly believe he acted with the intention of doing the right thing, and I have seen with my own eyes how he has learned and grown from that experience,” the pastor told Mr. I wrote this. To me, he really missed our friendship. We had dinner together at my house and we rekindled our friendship. I will continue to cherish that from now on. ”
“His vision, determination and leadership make him the ideal candidate to lead the DEA,” Howard Brown added.
In announcing his nomination Saturday, Trump touted Chronister's “countless recognitions and awards” as a law enforcement officer, his record in public safety and his work to combat human trafficking.
“Chad will work with our great Attorney General Pam Bondi to secure our borders, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs across our southern border, and save lives,” the president-elect added.
Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
