Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister withdraws as Trump’s nominee to lead DEA

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his nomination from President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency, the sheriff announced on social media Tuesday evening.

“Being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is an honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote in an Instagram post.

He continued: “As the gravity of this very important responsibility has been felt over the last few days, I have come to the conclusion that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration.”

When Chronister was originally nominated, President-elect Trump said this about his selection.

“I am pleased to appoint Sheriff Chad Chronister as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),” Trump wrote on his social media website. “For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and has received countless awards and accolades for keeping his community SAFE.”

Chronister graduated from the 260th session of the FBI National Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminology. He was appointed head of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office by then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott in 2017 and has since been re-elected twice.

Chronister is the second candidate to withdraw after being selected by President-elect Trump. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from running for Attorney General due to numerous scandals.

This is breaking news. Stay with ABC Action News for the latest information as it becomes available.