Chad Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, has withdrawn from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the DEA, citing ongoing commitments to his local responsibilities.
In a surprising turn of events, Chad Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, announced his withdrawal from consideration for the role of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator. President-elect Donald Trump had nominated Chronister to lead the agency, but the sheriff, after careful reflection, decided the responsibility was not one he could take on at this moment.
“I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County, and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” he explained, emphasizing his dedication to his role as sheriff.
The Impact of Chronister’s Leadership in Hillsborough
Chronister’s tenure as the sheriff of Hillsborough County, which includes the city of Tampa, has been marked by a series of significant law enforcement initiatives. Appointed in 2017 by then-Governor Rick Scott, Chronister brought 32 years of law enforcement experience to the role. His leadership was reaffirmed in 2017 and again in 2020 when he was reelected, underscoring his broad support in the community.
Under Chronister’s leadership, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has focused on combating drug trafficking, violent crime, and ensuring public safety. His decisions have been impactful, with the sheriff’s office taking on significant initiatives, including a targeted approach to reducing fentanyl abuse, a nationwide issue. Chronister’s focus on local priorities — from community policing to tackling the opioid crisis — clearly resonates with voters, securing his position as one of the most prominent law enforcement figures in Florida.
The DEA Administrator Nomination and Its Challenges
When President Trump announced Chronister’s nomination for the head of the DEA, it was seen as a strategic move. In his announcement, Trump stated, “As DEA Administrator, 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.”
The Trump administration has prioritized addressing the national drug crisis, with fentanyl — the synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of deaths across the U.S. annually — being a major focus.
However, despite the high profile of the position and the importance of the issue, Chronister opted out.
In his social media post, Chronister stressed his commitment to ongoing work in Hillsborough County. He cited various initiatives that he still wanted to complete, suggesting that the timing was not right for such a monumental change. For a public servant who has built a long and trusted career in local law enforcement, stepping into a national leadership role comes with its own set of challenges, especially in the context of such a high-stakes environment like the DEA.
Chronister’s Background and Ties to the Trump Administration
While the sheriff’s decision to step back was unexpected, it is not without context. Chronister’s background and ties to prominent figures in the Trump administration played a role in his brief moment in the national spotlight.
Notably, Chronister’s wife, Nicole DeBartolo, is the daughter of Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers. In 1998, DeBartolo pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony in a bribery case involving former Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards. Although he did not serve jail time, DeBartolo was forced to pay up to $1 million in fines and relinquish his NFL team ownership. In a notable gesture of support, President Trump granted a presidential pardon to DeBartolo in 2020, allowing him to regain some of his former privileges.
Chad Chronister with his wife Nicole DeBartolo (Photo: Chad Chronister on Facebook)
These connections, while not necessarily central to Chronister’s qualifications for the DEA role, bring a unique dynamic to his nomination. Some may have viewed his withdrawal as a response to these personal ties, given that his father-in-law had been embroiled in legal controversy. However, Chronister himself has always focused on the work at hand — safeguarding his community and improving law enforcement — rather than leveraging political connections.
Moving Forward
As Chronister returns to his law enforcement duties in Hillsborough County, the focus now shifts to finding a new candidate to lead the DEA. The opioid epidemic remains a national crisis, and with fentanyl-related deaths continuing to rise, the administration’s choice for the DEA will need to be someone with a clear vision for addressing the crisis. The task will require not just political acumen but also practical experience on the ground — something Chronister undoubtedly possesses.
In the meantime, Chronister’s decision underscores a broader truth: public service at the highest levels is a daunting and often thankless job. Whether it’s a local sheriff’s department or a national agency like the DEA, leadership is defined not just by titles, but by the tangible impact one can make in their community. Chronister’s commitment to Hillsborough County, after all, is a testament to his dedication to public service, and he will likely continue to play a crucial role in local law enforcement for years to come.
In the end, while Chronister’s withdrawal from the DEA nomination may have surprised some, it also reinforces the idea that leadership, especially in law enforcement, is rooted in service to one’s community — a principle that remains paramount in his career.
