Key Takeaways:
– President-elect Donald Trump proposes to assign Sheriff Chad Chronister as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator.
– Chronister’s nomination is starting to receive opposition from various Republicans based on his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– One of the major issues was Chronister’s decision in March 2020 to arrest a Tampa Bay church pastor for violating COVID-19 regulations.
– Supporters argue that Chronister took these steps to ensure the safety of citizens during a global health crisis.
– In the same stretch, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released 164 inmates to curb virus spread in the county jail, yielding mixed reactions.
Chronister’s Nomination Sparks Republican Outrage
President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his decision to nominate Republican Florida sheriff Chad Chronister as the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Trump asserted that Chronister, alongside his attorney general pick, Pam Bondi, would work diligently to secure the border and halt the cross border flow of illegal drugs. This move, however, didn’t sit well with several conservatives faction, who started voicing their concerns over Chronister’s actions during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Lockdown Controversy
March 2020 witnessed Chronister and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announce the arrest of Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, a local Tampa Bay church pastor. Howard-Browne had been charged with two second-degree misdemeanors for unlawful assembly and breaching public health emergency rules. This incidence incited a wave of responses from conservatives and libertarians alike, leading Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie to openly express his views on the matter.
Rep. Massie condemned the potential DEA leader nominee for arresting a pastor who chose not to abide by the lockdown rules. He argued that such actions made Chronister unsuitable for the top DEA position. Similarly, conservative podcasters the Hodge Twins and journalist Mike Cernovich were vocal about their disagreement with Chronister’s nomination due to his stance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letting Out the Prisoners
Another focal event during the lockdown period was when Sheriff Chronister’s office released 164 inmates from the county jail as a measure to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Chronister explained that the move aimed at protecting the jail staff and the remaining prison population. He also mentioned that it was more beneficial for these low-level, non-violent offenders to be home with their families.
However, this decision backfired when one of the released men, Joseph Edwards Williams, was arrested the next day on charges including second-degree murder. Sheriff Chronister, after the incident, asserted his call for the state attorney to prosecute Williams to the fullest extent of the law.
Facing the Music
Despite the criticism, Chronister took to social media to thank Trump for the DEA role nomination, saying he felt deeply humbled for the opportunity to serve his country. Conversely, in response, podcaster Tim Pool suggested that Chronister should instead face jail time for conspiring against rights by arresting a pastor during the lockdown.
Still, Chronister maintained during the arrest that religious belief shouldn’t supersede safety concerns during a pandemic crisis. He insisted that his actions aimed at protecting Tampa Bay residents who may interact with the members of the church congregation.
As it stands, the proposed nomination continues to instigate a sentiment of discord among conservative factions, with the coming days likely to shape the confirmation or rejection of Chronister’s DEA administration role. Efforts to reach Chronister and Trump’s campaign for comment were not immediately successful.