Zinger Key Points
- Sheriff Chad Chronister did not elaborate on the details why he withdrew his nomination and will continue his duties in Florida.
- Chronister's withdrawal follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first choice for attorney general.
- Find out which stock just claimed the top spot in the new Benzinga Rankings. Updated daily— discover the market’s highest-rated stocks now.
President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration announced on Tuesday he is withdrawing from consideration just three days after Trump made his nomination known, reported the Associated Press.
Chad Chronister, Florida's Hillsborough County Sheriff, said in a post on X Tuesday evening that he will continue his duties as a Florida sheriff.
"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," Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a message from AP seeking comment.
"There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling," Chronister continued. "I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County."
Though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Chronister as head of the DEA, Trump's pick for the DEA job drew backlash from Florida conservatives, who blasted him over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that his office "does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities." Hillsborough County is located on the west side of the state and includes Tampa.
Chronister’s withdrawal follows former Florida Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump's first choice for attorney general, who pulled his name for a post as attorney general after widespread criticism over scrutiny over multiple sex trafficking investigations.
Photo: Official photo of Chad Chronister in a June 2019 news conference
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