Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and several conservative figures have expressed opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister as the administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The controversy stems from Chronister's involvement in the arrest of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne in March 2020 for defying COVID-19 lockdown orders.
Chronister defended the arrest at the time, citing public health concerns and the pastor's repeated disregard for state and local health orders. However, the charges against Howard-Browne were later dropped, with the State Attorney's Office emphasizing the importance of compliance over criminal punishment during health crises.
