HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a move that has garnered significant praise from law enforcement leaders across Florida and beyond. Chronister, who has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for over 30 years, is widely regarded as a seasoned leader with the expertise to tackle the nation’s ongoing drug crisis.
Chronister’s nomination reflects his extensive experience in law enforcement, from his work as a detective collaborating with DEA agents to his leadership of one of Florida’s largest sheriff’s offices. Local officials and experts highlighted his boots-on-the-ground perspective as a major asset for the DEA role.
READ: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Endorses Trump’s Nominee Chad Chronister To Lead DEA
“This is what our country needs right now,” said former Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. “We can’t keep appointing the same type of people to government agencies and expect different results.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Chronister’s leadership and his commitment to public safety, citing his work to combat the fentanyl crisis and his involvement in key initiatives such as the Florida Attorney General’s Council on Human Trafficking.
“I congratulate Chad on his nomination and look forward to him taking on the drug cartels on behalf of the American people,” DeSantis said, expressing confidence in Chronister’s ability to tackle the complex challenges facing the DEA.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in Chronister’s ability to address the nation’s opioid crisis and dismantle transnational drug cartels. “He will directly attack fentanyl at its core—that’s in Mexico—and the precursor drugs coming in from China,” Judd said.
Chronister’s nomination has been met with widespread support from Florida’s law enforcement community. The Florida Sheriffs Association released a statement endorsing the nomination, emphasizing the importance of strong partnerships between federal and local law enforcement in tackling the fentanyl epidemic and other drug-related challenges.
READ: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Praises Hillsborough County Sheriff As Trump’s DEA Pick
“This is the kind of leadership we need at the national level,” the association said. “Florida sheriffs look forward to working with Chad Chronister to keep dangerous drugs off our streets.”
While Chronister called the nomination “the honor of a lifetime,” the move will prompt a transition within the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to appoint an interim sheriff, with a special election to follow.
If confirmed, Chronister will lead the DEA at a critical time, overseeing efforts to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, dismantle international drug cartels, and address the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic.
As law enforcement leaders and officials rally behind Chronister, many see his nomination as a step toward more effective collaboration and innovative strategies to address the nation’s drug crisis.
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