NEW YORK– Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to quit quickly after being nominated for a position.
Chronister, the top law enforcement official in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was renouncing the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.”
“In recent days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility has become clear, I have concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate further and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Trump’s choice of Chronister for the job drew opposition from conservatives, in part because of previous comments he made that his sheriff’s office was not focused on enforcing federal immigration laws.
Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt GaetzTrump’s first choice to serve as attorney general, by withdrawing his name from a government post. Gaetz withdrew after investigation a federal investigation into sex trafficking that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer.
The DEA post requires Senate confirmation.
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Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed to this report.