A.G. Gancarski
President-elect Donald Trump had tapped another Florida local for an administration post, this time choosing Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“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,” Trump promised on Truth Social.
Chronister was re-elected without opposition earlier this year and has been one of the state’s most important political figures. He recently ranked No. 1 on Florida Politics’ list of Tampa Bay’s Most Powerful Politicians, a ranking cultivated by political consultants, strategists, and other insiders from both sides of the political aisle in the Tampa Bay area.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Trump to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation,” Chronister said on X.
Chronister was first appointed Sheriff in 2017 by then-Gov. Rick Scott and then re-elected twice before this year’s unopposed re-election.
Scott said Chronister “is an incredible pick to lead the DEA!”
“When I appointed Chad as Hillsborough County Sheriff in 2017, he had already spent more than 20 years in law enforcement fighting every day to protect Florida families. His work over the last seven years shows Chad’s dedication,” the Senator posted.
Leaders from both parties hailed the hire.
“Congratulations, @ChadChronister! Much deserved. An excellent choice by President-elect Trump,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a Democrat and former law enforcement leader herself, wrote.
“Hate to lose a great Sheriff and a good friend, but I know he will do a great job,” remarked former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who succeeded Bondi in office, also lauded Chronister’s appointment.
“Congratulations to my friend and my outstanding sheriff, @ChadChronister on being appointed DEA Administrator,” Moody wrote on X. “Chad has fought on the front lines of the opioid crisis, and I know his leadership and decades of experience will be invaluable as we work to combat the flow of Mexican fentanyl into our country.”
Chris Nocco, the Republican Sheriff in neighboring Pasco County, praised Chronister’s pick.
“I am excited for my friend Chad Chronister. I know he will be outstanding working alongside Attorney General Bondi to end the flow of illicit drugs into our communities,” he posted to X.
If confirmed by the Senate, Chronister will replace Anne Milgram, who has led the DEA for nearly all of President Joe Biden’s administration.
Chronister’s prominence in Tampa Bay area politics also comes because of — or to some, in spite of — bold moves he has taken to protect public safety.
Worrying that criminals were not being prosecuted for their crimes, Chronister supported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ removal of former Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren. Some saw it as a surprising move by Chronister, who is known for defying partisanship, reaching across the aisle, and building meaningful relationships that transcend party loyalty. Agree with him or not, Chronister’s decision in that case was based not on politics but on his commitment to public safety.
Chronister’s support for DeSantis’ decision shocked many who saw the Sheriff and Warren as allies who worked together on various projects aimed at giving non-dangerous first-time offenders a second shot. But after he hosted DeSantis at a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) property, Chronister stood up for — as he always does — what he believed to be the right thing.
While he told the Tampa Bay Times in an interview after the controversial suspension that he appreciated Warren’s passion for criminal justice, he was troubled by his pledges not to pursue certain crimes. DeSantis said he suspended Warren based on promises not to prosecute violations of the state’s restrictive abortion ban or ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
His brand of leadership is paying dividends. Crime in Hillsborough is down 15%, and inmates at the county jail have access to the state’s largest mental health facility. Chronister launched a new program training inmates for jobs—vocational or those that require college-level classes—after they’ve completed their sentences. It’s a strategy that aids in reducing recidivism.
While Chronister’s pick will likely face far less scrutiny than other Trump appointments, Chronister’s appointment could raise at least a couple of eyebrows. During his first term, Trump pardoned Chronister’s father-in-law, Edward DeBartolo Jr., who pleaded guilty in 1998 to charges related to gambling fraud when he owned the San Francisco 49ers.
DeSantis will be responsible for naming Chronister’s replacement.
___
Janelle Irwin Taylor contributed to this report.
14 comments
MH/Duuuval
November 30, 2024 at 8:39 pm
Andrew Warren ring a bell with the backstabbing “loose Chad”?
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Kat Schurr
November 30, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Good appointment. Democrats, take a lesson. Andrew Warren couldn’t get appointed catcher of dogs
MH/Duuuval
December 1, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Appointment is the operative here, as Warren was elected by a majority of voters before Dee the Decider removed him — because he could.
It’s troubling when executives can arbitrarily remove legislators or other executives who are elected.
SuzyQ
December 2, 2024 at 1:21 pm
In the general election held on November 5 of this year (2024), the DeSantis-appointed and endorsed State Attorney, Suzy Lopez, won the election for State Attorney, fair and square, over disgraced, DeSantis-removed, Soros-funded former progressive and activist State Attorney Andrew Warren. After Warren was publicly humiliated when ousted by America’s Governor at an entertaining public news conference with the Sheriffs, Tampa’s chief of police, and the Attorney General of Florida, Warren declined to follow the only constitutional appeal process by requesting a trail in the Florida Senate. Instead, he opted to litigate the matter in state and federal court, even attempting to draw Disney Co. into his quarrel with the Governor. Both Warren and Disney did not prevail over America’s Governor.
MH/Duuuval
December 2, 2024 at 9:32 pm
I assumed P’shaw was in Georgia, plotting for the Dream Team. Instead, she appears to be shilling away here in the USA.
Lew A
November 30, 2024 at 9:04 pm
Good choice.
Good Sheriff.
He did spend tax payer money, many thousands plastering his name on all Sheriff’s vehicles, which we will pay to have removed now.
His son was sentenced to prison for stabbing a fellows in the face.
His wife’s family are billionaires.
He will do the job well.
Lew A
November 30, 2024 at 9:04 pm
Good choice.
Good Sheriff.
He did spend tax payer money, many thousands plastering his name on all Sheriff’s vehicles, which we will pay to have removed now.
His son was sentenced to prison for stabbing a fellows in the face.
His wife’s family are billionaires.
He will do the job well.
MH/Duuuval
December 1, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Thanks for the background.
SuzyQ
December 2, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Indeed, you need to be better informed. Try reading a book or more now and then.
MH/Duuuval
December 2, 2024 at 9:34 pm
I hear Mein Kampf and the Project 2025 books are popular on the MAGA reading list. The first gets the reader fired up, the second puts them to sleep afterwards.
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SuzyQ
December 2, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Don’t worry, folks, because America’s Governor will be exercising his constitutional authority to appoint Sheriff Chronister’s successor. We’re in safe hands, as always.
MH/Duuuval
December 2, 2024 at 9:35 pm
P’shaw!
Comments are closed.