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President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen Sheriff Chad Chronister from Florida to serve as the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.). This decision was made following Trump’s declaration that he would implement tariffs until countries like Canada, Mexico, and China put a stop to the trafficking of drugs and illegal immigrants.
Written by Mark Walker
Writing from the city of West Palm Beach in the state of
President-elect Donald J. Trump has selected Chad Chronister, a seasoned sheriff from Florida, to lead his administration’s efforts in combating drug abuse. Chronister will be responsible for fulfilling Trump’s campaign pledge to reduce the influx of fentanyl and other illicit substances into the United States.
In 2017, Sheriff Chronister was selected by Gov. Rick Scott to serve as the sheriff of Hillsborough County. He has been re-elected twice since then. Sheriff Chronister has also been a member of various law enforcement boards at the state and regional levels, such as the Florida Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council.
In a post on social media, Mr. Trump announced his selection of Sheriff Chad Chronister, who has worked at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for more than 32 years and has been recognized with numerous awards for ensuring the safety of his community.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Trump emphasized the seriousness of the opioid crisis, viewing it as a significant threat to national security. As president-elect, he has proposed implementing tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada to address the issue of migration and drug trafficking, with a specific focus on fentanyl crossing into the United States.
Sheriff Chronister, as the leader of the Drug Enforcement Administration, will have a key role in dealing with the growing concerns related to the importation of fentanyl into the United States.
After hearing about the nomination, Sheriff Chronister took to social media to express his gratitude for being considered for the position by Mr. Trump. He mentioned that he feels honored and humbled by the chance to serve the nation in this capacity.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is a part of the Department of Justice, stated in its budget request for fiscal year 2025 that 2023 saw the highest number of fentanyl seizures since the agency was established over fifty years ago. Additionally, the agency seized over 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. With over 10,000 employees, the DEA has offices in the United States and in over 60 countries worldwide. Its budget exceeds $3 billion.
To provide a comparison, Sheriff Chronister’s department in Florida, which is one of the biggest sheriff’s offices in the state, has a budget of approximately $600 million for the year 2024 and manages a staff of over 3,500 individuals.
Sheriff Chronister’s father-in-law, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., was granted a pardon by President Trump in 2021. DeBartolo, who used to own the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, admitted to hiding an extortion scheme in 1998. Despite not going to prison, he had to pay a $1 million fine and was suspended from the NFL for a year.
Mark Walker is a journalist who specializes in investigating transportation issues. He works out of Washington, D.C. To learn more about Mark Walker, click here
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