President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister as the next administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). In a statement made Saturday, it highlighted that Trump focuses on combating the opioid crisis and securing U.S. borders.
For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and received countless awards for keeping his community safe,” Trump said on social media. Chronister, a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a key figure in state security councils, will now lead the agency tasked with addressing drug-related challenges.
Chronister’s nomination comes as Trump promised to slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China until drug trafficking and illegal migration are curbed. As the head of DEA, Chronister will feature prominently in efforts to confront the fentanyl epidemic, branded by Trump as a national security crisis.
It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated,” Chronister said in a statement. “I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to serve our nation.”
A second-generation sheriff, appointed to the position in 2017 by then-Governor Rick Scott, Chronister has been twice-elected since then and sits on a number of law enforcement advisory boards. He also leads various efforts against human trafficking and initiatives toward public safety.
According to the latest data from the DEA, record-high amounts of fentanyl have been seized, with more than 77 million pills and 12,000 pounds of pure fentanyl powder in the year 2023.
As a DEA administrator, Chronister will supervise more than 10,000 employees across 60 countries. He will operate on a budget of over $3 billion.
Appointment by Trump: The nomination underlines that this administration is deeply concerned with the flow of illegal drugs and securing communities in America. His senate confirmation awaits.
To Read More: Global