Donald Trump revealed in a furious online post that he himself canceled his recent pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, saying he did so because of his actions related to COVID lockdowns.
“I pulled it out,” Trump wrote after Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced his retirement.
What Trump didn’t mention is that he had announced Chronister’s nomination just two days before the nomination imploded, raising the question of why he filed the nomination in the first place.
Trump’s comments came in an attack on the Wall Street Journal, which included a dig at its powerful owner Rupert Murdoch, even as he continued to stack his administration with people connected to Fox News. The Journal is owned by Dow Jones, a subsidiary of Newscorp, and Fox Corporation is controlled by the Murdoch family.
“The Wall Street Journal is becoming increasingly unpleasant and unreadable,” Trump began.
‘Today’s top headline is: “Trump’s DEA nominee withdraws in latest setback.” With everything going on in the world, this is the number one story of the day. Furthermore, he did not withdraw, I removed him, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other followers,” Trump criticized.
‘But, more importantly, what is my “last” setback??? I just won the presidency of the United States! They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS. Someone there should see what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is the stupid China-centric Forbes magazine!’
Another Murdoch publication, the New York Post, quoted a source as saying, “Everyone knows that President Trump calls the shots.” The president heard the concerns about Sheriff Chronister and acted accordingly. Another source said that “it was the president’s forceful hand that led him to remove his name” two days after submitting the nomination.
President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement saying he was the one who withdrew Chad Chronister’s nomination to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The surprising withdrawal came as another Trump nominee, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, experienced major difficulties in the Senate after Trump put his name forward to be Secretary of Defense. There are even reports that Trump is considering replacing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The turmoil and criticism of the media occurred after Trump’s decision. chosen to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has withdrawn from consideration after MAGA outrage.
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have made combating the fentanyl epidemic a top priority.
Chronister, the sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida, sparked controversy by ordering the arrest of a pastor for holding religious services at the height of the COVID pandemic.
MAGA ally Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was leading the charge to get him stepped aside, said he simply “lost his mind.”
‘This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. Trump appointed him to head the DEA. “I’m glad to see him withdraw from consideration,” he said.
“The next time politicians lose their ever-loving mind, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”
Conservative Liz Wheeler called him a “COVID tyrant” who “abused his power and is unfit to lead the DEA” and urged him to step down.
Another conservative influencer, Mike Cernovich, posted: ‘Arrest a pastor?! This man cannot have more power.
In March 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Chronister arrested The River’s pastor at Tampa Bay Church, Rodney Howard-Browne. The agency said he “intentionally and repeatedly hosted religious services with hundreds of members in attendance, despite knowing he was violating orders established by the President, the Governor of Florida, the CDC and the Florida County Emergency Policy Group.” Hillsborough.”
Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X, but did not reveal what prompted him to withdraw from consideration.
The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump pick, RFK Jr., who was chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Chronister became the second Trump pick to withdraw from Cabinet consideration, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew after a sex scandal began to hurt his confirmation chances.
Chad Chronister, the sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida, was nominated to lead the DEA
Gaetz, an unequivocal Trump supporter, had earned the president-elect’s respect despite the salacious accusations that followed.
In his statement reacting to the decision, Trump said he looked forward to Gaetz’s future career.
“Matt has a wonderful future and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do.” he wrote.
Trump has yet to comment on Chronister’s sudden resignation.
“Being nominated by the president-elect to serve as DEA Administrator is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister said in a statement Tuesday.
“Over the past few days, as the gravity of this important responsibility has dawned on me, I have come to the conclusion that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister continued.
‘There is more work to do for the citizens of Hillsborough County and I am committed to many initiatives. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, the great support of the American people and I look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.’
Chronister ordered the arrest of Tampa Bay pastor Rodney Howard-Browne in March 2020.
He had allegedly violated a county “safer at home” order.
“We received an anonymous tip that Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne denied a request to temporarily suspend holding large gatherings at his church,” Chronister said during a press event to announce the arrest.
“And instead, he was encouraging his large congregation to gather at his church.”
Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X
He went on to call it “reckless disregard for public safety.”
The pastor ended up endorsing Chronister’s candidacy for the DEA job in a surprising upset.
“Everything’s good, the sheriff and I are friends, he’s been doing an incredible job in Hillsborough County,” he said on X after Trump’s decision to nominate him.
“I think he and Pam Bondi will do a great job cleaning the place up.”
But it wasn’t enough to save Chronister’s chances of being confirmed in the Senate.
His shocking exit came just days after his appointment by the president-elect, who praised his many accolades.
The sheriff would have worked closely with another controversial Trump pick, RFK Jr., who was chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
“I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Nov. 30.
“For more than 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and has received countless accolades and awards for keeping his community SAFE.”
“As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the border, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs across the southern border and SAVE LIVES,” Trump said.
Bondi was nominated to fill the attorney general position following Gaetz’s departure.
She is the former attorney general of Florida and was at the Capitol this week to meet with senators and drum up support for her candidacy.