Posted on 12/02/2024 7:39:13 AM PST by george76
Donald Trump’s recent announcement of Sheriff Chad Chronister as his nominee for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator has sparked a fierce backlash among conservatives, who are raising serious concerns about Chronister’s record, particularly his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his perceived alignment with leftist policies.
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many conservative voices have condemned the pick, pointing to his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his alignment with liberal policies.
Among the most controversial moments of Chronister’s career was the arrest of Tampa Bay Pastor Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne in March 2020.
The pastor was charged with violating public health orders after keeping his church open during COVID-19 lockdowns, despite spending $100,000 on advanced air filtration systems to ensure safety.
“Announcing the arrest of Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne, Pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, who intentionally and repeatedly disregarded state and local public health orders, which put his congregation and our community in danger,” Chronister wrote at the time.
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The arrest.. was condemned by conservatives as a blatant violation of religious liberty.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) added his voice to the growing wave of criticism, denouncing Chronister’s actions and demanding his disqualification.
“I’m going to call ‘em like I see ‘em. Trump’s nominee for head of DEA should be disqualified for ordering the arrest a pastor who defied COVID lockdowns,” Rep. Massie wrote.
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US Army combat veteran Spence Rogers, a Tampa native, didn’t hold back, calling Chronister a “woke Democrat plant” who would “backstab President Trump.”
Under Chronister’s leadership, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has actively participated in the Tampa Pride event and established an LGBTQ liaison program.
In 2018, Sheriff Chronister made history as the first Hillsborough County Sheriff to join the parade.
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In 2021, to mark the return of the parade after its cancellation due to COVID-19, he officially announced the implementation of the agency’s LGBTQ Liaison program, according to Rogers.
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Chronister has expanded his office’s DEI programs, emphasizing diversity in recruitment efforts. In 2015, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office launched a recruitment effort focusing on diversity
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According to Rogers, Chronister has a history of donating to Democratic candidates and organizations, including Barack Obama, Mayor Jane Castor, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congressman Charlie Crist, and the Democratic National Committee. These contributions have raised concerns about his political affiliations and loyalty to conservative principles.
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Tampa Free Press reported:
Chronister is a flip-flopping opportunist. The former Democrat is running again as a Republican, but his background of support shows he still is a Democrat at heart. Chronister has given tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats including $15,000 to Barack Obama for President, and thousands to such assorted partisan Democrats including: Congressman Charlie Crist, Mayor Jane Castor, and Congresswoman Kathy Castor.
Chronister has also contributed at least $5,000 to the Democrat National Committee. In short, for someone with an “R” after his name, he looks curiously like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
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Chronister’s office released Joseph Williams, an inmate with 35 prior charges, as part of the 150 “low-level, non-violent” offenders during the COVID-19 pandemic, who then committed murder shortly after his release. The sheriff acknowledged that his agency did not check history prior to the release.
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During the Black Lives Matter protests, his deputies were criticized for standing down as property was destroyed, including a gate at the county jail. Reports indicate that his office was slow to respond during the riots, while other sheriff’s offices in the state were more proactive.
Tampa Free Press reported:
At the height of the BLM riots in Tampa on June 27, 2020, rioters assembled at the Hillsborough County Jail on Orient Road and began to rip down the gate at the jail’s Sally Port, where prisoners are brought into the facility.
Jail deputies were ordered to stand-down as they watched rioters destroy public property. No arrests were made. One detention deputy at the jail told TFP reporter Chis Ingram at the time, “It was ridiculous that we were not allowed to do anything, and no one was arrested, and it has deeply affected morale.”
Chronister supports red flag gun confiscation policies and has utilized them multiple times. In 2020, his office worked with the Tampa Police Department to serve a Risk Protection Order, a tool used to prevent individuals deemed a threat from accessing firearms.
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Given these actions and affiliations, conservatives are urging President Trump to reconsider Chronister’s nomination, arguing that his record does not align with the administration’s .. agenda.
This Chronister stinks.
When the governor announced his surprise suspension of Warren, Chronister and other sheriffs flanked him at the news conference.
Standing before the cameras, Chronister heard the governor saying the suspension was also because of pledges Warren signed with prosecutors nationwide against pursuing cases involving transgender health care or abortion — two big and contentious national issues.
Flanked by law enforcement, Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the removal of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren at a 2022 news conference. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, on the right, listens.
Flanked by law enforcement, Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the removal of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren at a 2022 news conference. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, on the right, listens. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Tampa Bay Times ]
“I didn’t know it had anything to do with anything but not prosecuting low-level crimes until (DeSantis) said it,” Chronister said. As soon as it was over he called his wife, who he knew had views on both subjects.
wTF is Trump thinking? He is getting seriously BAD advice on this person.
wTF is Trump thinking? He is getting seriously BAD advice on this person.
Conservatives.
Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
“He is getting seriously BAD advice on this person.”
Also on the Surgeon General chick. WHO is advising him?
keep those boats 50 feet apart ... covid advice from this turd ...
If we don’t get Gaetz, they don’t get this poofter.
Donald Trump appointed Chris Christie, during the 2016 campaign, to be his transition director.. Trump’s agenda was hampered by poor staffing
I can’t believe how easily people are manipulated by the media. They read headlines and let others do their thinking for them. Sheep.
We finally have good leadership, and everyone looks at the shiny things from the media.
There is still a tremendous amount of anger out there over the government’s response to a relatively benign pathogen.
So many lives were ruined because of it.
This incoming administration shouldn’t assume the voters will allow it to happen again.
Chris Christie recommended Christopher Wray as FBI director, last time.
RINOs are democrats who could not get elected as democrats .
This has to be a misunderstanding. Clear it up now so it doesn’t become a mistake
Gaetz, Hegseth and now this lib sheriff. Not to mention the many bad choices Trump made in his first administration.
Not questioning Trump’s judgement (yet) but he is sure picking some questionable people.
In this case the media is Redstate and Gateway Pundit.
And it’s not headlines - it’s actual verifiable links to Chronister’s liberal views.
You’ve checked them out, right? So why are you making accusations about sheep?
Get with the program man, every issue is a crisis. Join in the hysteria, you’ll have more fun that way.
How does a guy living on a county sheriff’s salary afford to give $15,000 to Obama’s campaign?
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