Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister is withdrawing as Trump's nominee to lead the DEA

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his name from consideration as President Trump's nominee to lead the US Drug Enforcement Administration. (DEA).

“Being nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote in X's post.

“In the past few days, as this important responsibility begins, I have concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration. There is much work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and many efforts that I am committed to,” continued Chronister.

He said he appreciates the nomination and support of the American people and looks forward to continuing his work as sheriff.

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Lake County District 1 Commissioner Anthony Sabatini called Chronister's resignation “a great achievement for liberals.”

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“This police chief ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to lead the DEA. I'm glad to see him withdraw from thinking. The next time politicians lose their minds they always love, he can redeem himself following the Constitution,” Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote on the X website after the sheriff's announcement.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., spoke to Fox News after Chronister's resignation and defended the official.

“What disqualifies someone? We all make mistakes in life, right? I haven't talked about that yet. But in terms of someone who made a mistake in the past, we gave an example of someone who didn't make a mistake in the past,” said Mullin.

Chronister has faced numerous backlash for arresting a pastor for violating COVID laws.

Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Announcing the arrest of Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne, Pastor of The River in Tampa Bay Church, who willfully and repeatedly ignored public and local health orders, putting his church and our community at risk,” Chronister tweeted. the time.

“We hope this will be a deterrent,” Chronister said during the 2020 press conference. “Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this church for forcing us to do our job. This is not what we wanted to do when the state of emergency was declared.”

The charges were later dropped.

Conservative commentator Liz Wheeler called on Trump to reverse his choice after the nomination.

“Chad Chronister is the COVID dictator who arrested a Christian pastor for holding a church in person during the pandemic. Chronister held a press conference bragging about his arrest. Chronister abused his power; he is not fit to lead the DEA. Trump should withdraw his nomination,” The Wheeler wrote in a previous post on X.

In an earlier statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Rep. Chip RoyR-Texas, said, “We don't need lawmakers who refuse to exercise discretion and protect the Constitution — regardless of which party is in power.”

Despite his arrest, Howard-Browne supported Chronister, sharing a video on X alongside the sheriff.

“Chad Chronister has been my friend for many years, through good times and challenges,” said Howard-Browne in a message, addressed to Trump, which he shared publicly on X.

“I truly believe that he acted with the intention of doing the right thing, and I saw firsthand how he learned and grew from that experience. Shortly after my arrest, Sheriff Chronister called me and told me that he really missed our friendship. We met for dinner at my house, and we were able to restore the friendship that we had, which I will always cherish. ,” he continued.

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Chronister was appointed by Gov. Florida then-Rick Scott ran for Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in 2017, and has been re-elected twice.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. News tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.