Key Facts About Chad Chronister, Trump’s Nominee for DEA Chief
“Chad has been actively engaged in combating the opioid crisis,” remarked Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
President-elect Donald Trump has selected another individual from Florida for a role in his upcoming administration.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister received a nomination on Nov. 30 to become the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Pending Senate confirmation, Chronister will collaborate with the U.S. Attorney General—expected to be Florida’s former Attorney General Pam Bondi, subject to Senate approval—to “save lives” by disrupting the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal substances while also focusing on border security.
Here are some key details about Trump’s recent appointment.
Background in Law Enforcement
Chronister is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 260th Session and holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from St. Leo University.
He first became sheriff through appointment, selected by then-Governor Rick Scott to succeed Sheriff David Gee upon his retirement. Chronister was elected to his first full term in 2018 by the citizens of Hillsborough County, which encompasses Tampa, and subsequently won reelection in 2020.
In 2024, he secured a second reelection after reinforcing a “tough-on-crime” stance while also prioritizing the safety and operational effectiveness of his deputies.
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Chronister publicly endorsed the newly-elected state attorney for the county, Suzy Lopez.
“Sheriff Chronister … played a vital role in the election of tough-on-crime prosecutor Suzy Lopez. Hillsborough County is safer because of it,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated on X on Dec. 2.
“I applaud Chad on his nomination and anticipate his efforts to confront drug cartels on behalf of the American populace.”
Chronister has held his office through numerous hurricanes, including Helene and Milton, requiring coordinated operations with various law enforcement agencies and first responders, including the National Guard.
Along with the president-elect, Chronister marks the eighth individual from Florida to join the new administration and the second from the Tampa Bay region.
Bondi, also from Tampa, will be a key figure under whom Chronister will serve if both receive confirmation.
Trump’s Cabinet selections from Florida include Susie Wiles as chief of staff, Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser.
Other Floridians chosen for non-Cabinet roles include former Rep. Dave Weldon as the CDC director and James Blair as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs.
Commitment to Combating Drug Trafficking
During his tenure as sheriff, Chronister has emphasized the fight against drug and human trafficking within his jurisdiction, collaborating with the DEA.
Deputies seized nearly $1 million worth of drugs and additional valuables linked to “illicit cash.”
On Oct. 25, 2024, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced that a six-month investigation culminated in the arrest of eight individuals for drug trafficking and distribution.
“I am confident that his leadership and extensive experience will be essential in our battle against the flow of Mexican fentanyl into our county,” Moody added.
Chronister has also been appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council and serves on the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
Concerns Over Actions During COVID
Some critics have raised concerns regarding Chronister’s nomination, particularly regarding his decision to arrest a pastor for defying COVID-related lockdowns in March 2020.
The Libertarian Party of Mississippi circulated a social media message from the sheriff on March 30, 2020, announcing the arrest of the “Pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church for intentionally and repeatedly violating state and local health orders, thus endangering his congregation and our community.”
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Rodney Howard-Browne faced charges for “two second-degree misdemeanors for Unlawful Assembly and Violation of Public Health Emergency Rules.”
The sheriff’s office acted on an anonymous tip indicating that Howard-Browne refused to suspend large gatherings temporarily.
Personnel and legal staff from the Sheriff’s Office met with the church’s legal team “to educate them on the existing orders and the hazardous situation they were creating for their members and the public.”
“I’m going to call it as I see it: Trump’s nominee for head of the DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest of a pastor who violated COVID lockdowns,” Massie stated.
Chronister was not available for comment.
Bipartisan Community Recognition
Chronister has received praise from community organizations spanning both sides of the political spectrum.
“Sheriff Chronister has demonstrated selfless service, reduced crime rates, maintained a focus on community policing, and promoted diversity and inclusion within the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff’s office notes on its website.
His accolades include the Housing and Education Alliance HEART for the Homeless Award, the NAACP Walter Moses Burton Unsung Hero Award, and the Robert W. Saunders Award for Distinguished Community Service from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Memorial Commemoration Committee, among others.
Chronister is a husband and father of two and remains actively involved in his local Bay Area community.
He has also received awards such as the Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen Award, the University of South Florida President’s Fellow Medallion, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award, the Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay Spirit of Achievement Award, and was recognized as a Great Futures Honoree by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.
