CNN
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Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Tuesday that he is no longer on President-elect Donald Trump’s list to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“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,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister wrote in a post on X.
“There is still much work to do for the residents of Hillsborough County and 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 working with I look forward to continuing my duties as sheriff.”
Trump’s transition team declined to comment.
Trump’s choice of Chronister received backlash from the MAGA corner of the Republican Party, with some lawmakers slamming the sheriff on social media.
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky criticized Trump’s selection in a post on X on Sunday, saying the sheriff “should be disqualified” for his enforcement of COVID-19 protocols. Ta. Following Chronister’s withdrawal on Tuesday, Massey said in a separate post that he was “glad to see him withdraw from consideration.”
Some allies of the president-elect believed that Chronister was not a true Republican, much less a Trump supporter. It is unclear whether the backlash against this selection led to his name being withdrawn.
Chronister is the second person Trump has withdrawn from being considered for a position in the next administration. Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz announced last month that he would no longer seek the attorney general post as the conservative firebrand faces an uphill battle to win confirmation in the Senate. Mr. Trump replaced him with former state Attorney General Pam Bondi, a fellow Floridian and Tampa native.
President Trump announced Chronister as his nominee on Saturday, writing in a social media post: “As DEA Director, Chad will work with our great Attorney General Pam Bondi to secure our borders and stop fentanyl and other illegal drugs from flowing across our borders.” Please save me. ”
Chronister has served as sheriff of Hillsborough County, which includes the city of Tampa, since 2017, when he was appointed by then-Gov. According to Rick Scott’s office website. He has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 32 years and has been re-elected twice since 2017, serving as the county’s top law enforcement officer.
Mr. Chronister’s wife, Nicole DeBartolo, is the daughter of former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. During his first term, President Trump granted Chronister a presidential pardon after Chronister’s father-in-law pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony bribery charge in 1998. The case led to former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards’ federal prison sentence. Edward DeBartolo Jr. did not serve any jail time, but agreed to pay a fine of up to $1 million and relinquish ownership of his NFL team to his sister.
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Steve Contorno and Megan Vasquez contributed to this report.
