Trump’s Cabinet nominee decides to withdraw following backlash from MAGA supporters

Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration shockingly withdrew from consideration after MAGA outrage.

The Sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida, Chad Chronister, caused a stir when he decided to have a pastor arrested for conducting church services during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MAGA ally Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was leading the charge to get him to step aside, said he simply ‘lost his mind.’ 

Describing the incident, someone mentioned, “This sheriff opted to arrest a pastor for organizing services amidst the COVID scare. He was nominated by Trump to take charge of the DEA. It’s good to see him step back from the running.”

‘Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.’

Chronister confirmed his decision to step aside in a post on X, but didn’t disclose what prompted him to withdraw.

It’s worth noting that the sheriff would have collaborated closely with another controversial selection of President Trump, RFK Jr., who was chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Chronister became the second Cabinet pick to pull out of the Cabinet, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz who withdrew after a sex scandal started plauging his confirmation chances.

Gaetz, a unequivocal supporter of Trump, had earned respect from the president-elect despite the salacious allegations that followed him. 

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 watching all of the great things he will do!’ he wrote.

Trump hasn’t yet commented on Chronister’s sudden resignation.

‘To have been nominated by President-Elect to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,’ Chronister said in a statement on Tuesday. 

‘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 went on.

‘There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and 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 ‘safer-at-home’ order for the county.

‘We received an anonymous tip that Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne refused a request to temporarily stop 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 meet at his church.’

He went on to call it a ‘reckless disregard for public safety.’

His shocking exit came only days after his nomination by the president-elect who praised his numerous accolades. 

‘I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),’ Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on November 30.

‘For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and received countless commendations 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 stated. 

Bondi was nominated to fill the position of attorney general after Gaetz’s exit.

She is the former attorney general of Florida and has been on Capitol Hill this week to meet with senators and shore up support for her bid.