Trump Withdraws FL Sheriff Nomination for DEA Role, Criticizes Media Coverage

President-elect Donald Trump addressed recent media reports on Wednesday, providing a sharp rebuttal to what he characterized as misleading narratives surrounding his Cabinet picks.

Late Tuesday, news surfaced that Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), had withdrawn from consideration.

Prominent outlets such as Fox News and The Wall Street Journal reported on the development, with the Journal emphasizing the scrutiny surrounding Trump’s other Cabinet selections.

Taking issue with the Journal’s portrayal, Trump posted a fiery response on his Truth Social platform.

“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable,” Trump wrote. “Today’s main headline is: ‘Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback.’ With all that’s happening in the World, this is their Number One story of the day.

“Besides, he didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,” Trump clarified. “But, more importantly, what’s my ‘latest’ setback??? I just won the Presidency of the United States! They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS.”

Trump didn’t stop there, delivering a jab at another media outlet: “Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!”

Chronister’s nomination faced significant backlash from Trump’s base after revelations that he had once arrested a pastor for holding church services during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, made it clear during a Capitol Hill hallway interview on Wednesday that he has no intention of stepping down despite allegations of personal misconduct.

Hegseth, an Army officer with combat experience and a former Fox News contributor, recounted a conversation with Trump earlier in the day. “I spoke to the President-elect this morning. He said keep going, keep fighting… Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter,” he told reporters.

When asked if he was considering withdrawing, Hegseth responded that he was meeting with senators and planned to continue doing so.

A clip of the exchange was shared on X (formerly Twitter):

WATCH:

Earlier this week, NBC News published allegations, citing 10 “anonymous sources,” claiming Hegseth had a history of heavy drinking and appearing intoxicated at work. These accusations were swiftly countered by more than a dozen of Hegseth’s former colleagues and cohosts, who publicly dismissed the claims as false.

“Bullshit. 100 percent bullshit. Actually…horseshit,” “Fox & Friends Weekend cohost Will Cain said on X.

“I was not contacted by anyone at @NBCNews. And no one had closer proximity on a continuous basis. Well…maybe @RCamposDuffy since she sat between us!” he said in another post.

“Worth repeating, @NBCNews used “anonymous” sources & unconfirmed stories to smear @PeteHegseth as a drunk on the job & never once asked his FOX & Friends coworkers who sit right next to him??? Don’t forget, @MSNBC started on day one of his nomination by saying he was a known racist/white supremicist – crazy, I know, but again never asking the Hispanic woman who works with him either. I would know if Pete was racist. This is why Americans hate the media & politics. It’s why they voted for Trump who withstood every smear in the book – including being accused of TREASON. Keep fighting, Pete. America is behind you,” his other cohost, Rachel Campos Duffy said.

“I’ve guest co-hosted with him numerous times before. Not once did this happen. Not once have I heard this from others. This is such a disgusting and false smear. It is wrong and malicious,” fellow Fox News host Lisa Marie Boothe said.

“Add me to the list. It’s ridiculous bullshit,” Clay Travis said.

“I’ve co-hosted with Pete and have never experienced anything like what was claimed in this anonymously sourced report,” another cohost, Guy Benson, said.