Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who had recently been tabbed by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced his decision to withdraw from consideration. In what would seem a rapid reversal, Chronister stepped back mere days after his nomination was heralded by Trump on Truth Social, where the president-elect lauded the sheriff's potential to "secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES." This praise was, however, short-lived as Chronister released a statement signifying a change of heart, "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," as reported by NBC News.

Despite the swift nomination by Trump, and a wave of support from Republican figures in Florida such as Governor Ron DeSantis, Chronister faced scrutiny from Trump supporters regarding actions taken during the coronavirus pandemic. One particular incident of consternation was the arrest of Tampa-area pastor Ronald Howard-Browne for violating lockdown orders in 2020, though the charges were eventually dropped. The decision to step down, Chronister stated on social media, reflects his commitment to local initiatives and the citizens of Hillsborough County, a sentiment captured in his declaration that it was "the honor of a lifetime" to be considered for the federal role, WFLA reported.

Professor Alain Sanders, speaking to WFLA, suggested that the Trump administration's vetting process has been less than meticulous at times, saying "Donald Trump has not been very careful about the vetting process," which may have contributed to the unexpected withdrawal. This lack of careful vetting has led to previous "surprises" with other nominations, indicating a pattern that might affect future Trump administration appointments.

It is also noted that Chronister's background is steeped in local law enforcement with more than three decades of service but does not include experience in international operations such as those under the DEA's purview. Agents of the DEA expressed their surprise at Chronister's nomination, with some even stating they had never heard of him, an indication of how unexpected Trump's pick was within the circles of the agency he was slated to lead, according to statements made to the BBC.