TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — President Donald Trump challenged reports of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister's DEA withdrawal, saying he didn't want the sheriff in his cabinet days after nominating him.
Saturday, Trump announced that Chronister was his pick to be the next administrator for the Drug Enforcement Agency, praising his 32-year career in law enforcement.
"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 wrote on Truth Social Saturday. "Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!"
However, Chronister announced Tuesday that he would not be pursuing the nomination, even though he called it "the honor of a lifetime."
"There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling," the sheriff said in a statement on social media. "I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County."
Trump responded to the Wall Street Journal's report that called Chronister's withdrawal a "setback" by criticizing the sheriff and saying he didn't want him, despite praising Chronister days before.
"He didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters," Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, referencing an incident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Chronister had a mega-church pastor arrested for violating a safer-at-home order.
Chronister and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to the president-elect's claims, saying it was the sheriff's decision to withdraw.
"Sheriff Chronister stands behind his decision to withdraw from consideration," the HCSO statement said. "Right now, his priority, as it has been for the last seven years, remains the mission to protect and serve everyone in Hillsborough County."