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Thomas Massie Says Trump Nominee Should Be “Disqualified” – Here’s Why

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said Florida sheriff Chad Chronister, President Trump’s nominee for administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), should be disqualified for his actions during COVID-19.

“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,” Massie said.

“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 said in March 2020.

Here’s a screenshot:

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“I believe there is nothing more important than faith at a time like this, and as a Sheriff’s Office, we would never impede on someone’s ability to lean on their religious beliefs as a means of comfort,” Chronister said in a press release about the arrest of the pastor.

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“But practicing those beliefs has to be done safely,” he added.

From the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in March 2020:

The Sheriff’s Office made contact with leaders at the River at Tampa Bay Church on Friday, March 27, following an anonymous tip that Pastor Howard-Browne refused requests to temporarily stop holding large gatherings at his church. Instead, the pastor was encouraging his congregation to continue to meet in person.

His actions were a direct violation of Executive Order 20-05, which went into effect on March 20, limiting gatherings, including faith-based gatherings, to less than 10 people. He was also violating the Safer-At-Home Order, which went into effect on March 27, advising Hillsborough County residents to remain in their homes as much as possible to create greater social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

On Friday, and again on Sunday, Sheriff’s Office personnel and legal staff spoke with attorneys representing the church in an attempt to educate them on the orders in place and the dangerous environment they were creating for their members and the community. Neither the pastor nor his church leaders heeded the warnings.

“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week in danger,” said Sheriff Chronister. “The River at Tampa Bay has an advantage over most places of worship, because they have access to technology that allows them to live stream their services over the internet and broadcast television for the more than 4,000 members to watch from the safety of their homes.”

Pastor Howard-Browne hosted services in his church with hundreds of people at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday and even provided bus transportation to the church.

Due to his disregard for public safety after repeated requests and warnings, HCSO worked with State Attorney Andrew Warren to obtain a warrant for Pastor Howard-Browne’s arrest on Monday morning, March 30. Pastor Howard-Browne was arrested at his home in Hernando County around 1:30 p.m. the same day.

“Our goal here is not to stop anyone from worshipping, but the safety and well being of our community must always come first,” said Sheriff Chronister.

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President Trump announced the nomination of Chronister for DEA Administrator in a Truth Social post Saturday evening.

“I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE. A proud graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 260th Session, Chad is Co-Chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay, Council Member of the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, Chairman of the Criminal Justice Sub-Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council, and Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Citizen Oversight Committee,” Trump said.

“As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES. Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!” he added.

Many individuals called for Trump to withdraw the nomination, saying Chronister must not obtain such a position.

“It’s impossible to defend this. He even bragged about it. The DEA has already shown itself to often act as a thug organization, focusing on low level users instead of the cartels. Arresting a pastor?! This man can’t be near more power,” Mike Cernovich commented.

“I almost went to jail for going to church under Andy Beshear’s tyranny, and it appears @ChadChronister was even worse, since he ACTUALLY arrested Christians for exercising their faith. I’m not sure who suggested Chronister to President Trump, but whoever did almost definitely didn’t tell him about this, because I know Trump would NEVER tolerate such blatant hostility to our most Essential Liberty: religious freedom,” member-elect of the Kentucky House of Representatives T.J. Roberts said.

“I hope President Trump does the right thing and revokes the nomination for DEA Director. If you persecuted Christians, you should be disqualified from holding any government power. Ever,” he added.

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“It’s unacceptable to reward someone who arrested anyone for having a church service during the absurdity of Covid lockdowns,” OutKick writer Ian Miller commented.

Chronister also withheld covered time off from unvaccinated law enforcement officers who became ill during COVID-19.

“Trying to do everything we can without mandating the vaccine, doing everything we can to encourage people to get vaccinated,” Chronister said in 2021, according to WFLA.

Per WFLA:

“Stop listening to the politicians. Start listening to the medical professionals and the scientists and get vaccinated,” Chronister said. “If you don’t want to do it for yourself do it for your coworkers, do it for your family and do it to stay alive.”

The most recent data from the Florida Department of Health shows for the week of Aug. 20 through August 26 there were more than 151,000 new COVID-19 cases in our state. That week’s covid deaths were recorded at 1,727 which is up from the previous week’s report of 1,486.

In the Tampa Bay area, multiple police departments and sheriff’s offices have lost law enforcement members because of COVID-19. Something that Sheriff Chronister is very aware of.

“I put out a policy a while ago that if you are unvaccinated and you have to quarantine or you get ill you have to use your own accrued time. If you are vaccinated and you get sick the sheriff’s office will cover your time off,” said Chronister.

“Chad Chronister is a COVID tyrant who arrested a Christian pastor for holding church in person during the pandemic. Chronister held a press conference bragging about the arrest. Chronister abused his power; he’s unfit to lead the DEA. Trump should withdraw his nomination,” Liz Wheeler said.

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Daily Caller reports:

In addition to the local pastor’s arrest, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released 164 inmates in March 2020 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 at the county jail.

“We want to protect our employees here. We want to protect the remainder of the jail population. We also feel these low-level, non-violent offenders will be better served at home with their families,” Chronister said at the time.

However, only a day after their release, one of the inmates, 26-year-old Joseph Edwards Williams, was arrested again on charges of second-degree murder in connection to a homicide along with charges of felony firearm possession, heroin possession and resisting arrest.

“There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense,” Chronister said after the incident. “As a result, I call on the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

WATCH:

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.


 

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