Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdraws as Trump's nominee to lead DEA

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew his name for consideration as President-elect Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime," Chronister wrote in a post on X.

"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. 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. 

He said he appreciated the nomination and support from the American people and that he's looking forward to continuing his work as sheriff.

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District 1 County Commissioner of Lake County Anthony Sabatini called Chronister stepping down a "huge win for liberty." 

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"This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA. Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote in a post on X after the sheriff's announcement.

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

"What disqualifies somebody? We all make mistakes throughout life, right? I haven't talked any details on that yet. But as far as someone making a mistake in their past, give us an example of anybody that hasn't made a mistake in the past," Mullin said. 

Chronister faced backlash from multiple conservative figures for arresting a pastor for violating COVID rules.

The Rev. Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Announcing the arrest of Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne, Pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, who intentionally and repeatedly disregarded state and local public health orders, which put his congregation and our community in danger," Chronister noted in a tweet at the time.

"We're hoping that this serves as a deterrent," Chronister said during a 2020 news conference. "Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this church for forcing us to do our job. That's not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency."

The charges were later dropped.

Conservative commentator Liz Wheeler called on Trump to undo his selection after the nomination.

"Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor for holding church in person during the pandemic. Chronister held a press conference bragging about the arrest. Chronister abused his power; he’s unfit to lead the DEA. Trump should withdraw his nomination," Wheeler wrote in a previous post on X.

In a previous statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said, "We don't need authoritarians who refuse to use discretion and protect the Constitution – no matter which party is in power."

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

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

"I truly believe he acted with the intention of doing the right thing, and I've witnessed firsthand how he has learned and grown from those experiences. Shortly after my arrest, Sheriff Chronister called me and told me he truly missed our friendship. We met for dinner at my house, and we were able to restore the friendship we had, one I will always cherish," he continued.

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

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