FLORIDA, USA — President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he plans to nominate Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to be the next Administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
"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 wrote in a Truth Social post. "Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!"
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office website, Chronister served with the agency for the past 32 years. He became the top law enforcement officer in the county in 2017 following his appointment by then-Gov. Rick Scott, and he was reelected twice by the citizens of the county.
The website highlights many of Chronister's recognitions, including his focus on reducing crime and community policing.
Trump also echoed Chronister's achievements in the social post, saying, "A proud graduate of the FBI National Academy's 260th Session, Chad is Co-Chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay, Council Member of the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, Chairman of the Criminal Justice Sub-Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council, and Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Citizen Oversight Committee."
In a statement to 10 Tampa Bay, Chronister expressed his gratitude for the nomination.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Donald 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.