President-elect Donald Trump recently explained why he pulled Florida sheriff Chad Chronister, his appointment to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. According to Trump, Chronister’s conduct toward “pastors” and “other supporters” rendered him ineligible to serve in his administration. Over the past several years, the Hillsborough County, Florida, sheriff has been the subject of controversy for arresting preachers who sought in-person worship during the pandemic.
Chronister took to X Tuesday providing an update to the situation. “To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. 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. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County,” he wrote.
On Wednesday, President-elect Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, correcting headlines about Chronister’s removal in the mainstream media. Trump set the record straight, maintaining that he “pulled him out” and it was not a withdrawal on Chronister’s part. Furthermore, Trump detailed the decision was motivated by the sheriffs attitude toward the faith community.
“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable. Today’s main headline is: “Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback.” With all that’s happening in the World, this is their Number One story of the day. Besides, he didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters. But, more importantly, what’s my “latest” setback??? I just won the Presidency of the United States! They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS. Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!” the incoming president wrote on his platform.
The American Tribune previously reported on the news of Chronister’s appointment and the subsequent backlash from conservatives regarding his record with churches and the pandemic. In 2020, Chronister posted to X, “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.”
One person called out Chronister, writing, “You arrested a pastor for holding church services. That’s about the most unAmerican thing imaginable. In a just world you’d have been put in prison for that.” Another person similarly wrote, “You need to withdraw this nomination Trump. Covid Tyrants have no place in MAGAHA. He should be prosecuted for his Covid behavior not rewarded.”
Further expressing disapproval another person wrote, “You arrested pastors for holding church services. You are not trustworthy, and those acts disqualify you from any position of authority in the USA. If you have any honor or self-respect at all, you will turn down the nomination.” One person wrote, “Why did you have a pastor arrested for holding church service? This is a clear violation of the First Amendment. We need an answer to this, along with a groveling public apology and some genuine gesture to make things right for the man you wrongfully persecuted, or you won’t have our support.”
Featured image credit: Featured image credit: Featured image credit: Original: The White HouseDerivative work: J JMesserly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_St._John%27s_Church_Bible_high.png