Chad Chronister Withdraws from DEA Consideration

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chad Chronister, announced on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from consideration, making him the second Trump nominee to do so shortly after being selected.

"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," said Chronister, a Florida sheriff, in a post on X.

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump had announced his intention to nominate Chronister to lead the DEA on Sunday, emphasizing a focus on combating the flow of fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border. The DEA is part of the Justice Department and is responsible for enforcing U.S. drug laws.

Some of Trump’s supporters criticized Chronister’s nomination due to his past arrest of a Florida pastor for violating a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, has over 30 years in local law enforcement but appeared to lack the broader experience suited for the DEA role.

His withdrawal follows a similar decision by former Republican lawmaker Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first pick for attorney general, who also dropped out amid concerns over his previous conduct.