Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn from consideration to head President-elect Donald Trump‘s Drug Enforcement Administration.
In a statement, Chronister said Tuesday being nominated “the honor of a lifetime” but was stepping down after the “gravity of this very important responsibility set in.”
TRUMP CABINET PICKS: WHO’S BEEN TAPPED TO SERVE IN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT’S ADMINISTRATION
“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,” he wrote in a statement. “I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who had previously voiced concerns over Chronister’s nomination over his arrest of a pastor for defying COVID-19 lockdown orders, celebrated his withdrawal shortly after it was announced.
“This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration,” Massie said in a statement on X. “Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”
Massie had previously voiced concerns over Chronister’s nomination, announced by Trump on Saturday, over the arrest, saying it should have “disqualified” him.
RECESS APPOINTMENTS: HOW TRUMP HOPES TO SKIP SENATE CONFIRMATIONS AND FILL HIS CABINET
Momentum against the Florida sheriff gradually built in the days after Trump tapped Chronister despite strong showings of support from Florida Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL).
“When I appointed Chad as Hillsborough County Sheriff in 2017, he had already spent more than 20 years in law enforcement fighting every day to protect Florida families,” Scott claimed. “His work over the last 7 years shows Chad’s dedication to cracking down on crime, fighting the fentanyl crisis, and showing up every day to keep Floridians safe.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Chronister joins former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as the sole nominees to Trump’s Cabinet to withdraw from consideration before the Senate confirmation process. Gaetz, Trump’s first pick to be attorney general, backed out after meetings with Republicans in the Senate showed he lacked the votes to be confirmed.
