Trump Pulls Nomination from DEA Pick After Finding Out 'What He Said to My Pastors and Other Supporters'

President-elect Donald Trump’s challenging cabinet selection process saw a new development on Wednesday, as the 47th president issued a pointed correction to the mainstream media.

Late Tuesday, news broke that Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, was stepping back from consideration.

Major outlets, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, reported on Chronister’s withdrawal, with the Journal notably describing Trump’s cabinet picks as being “scrutinized.”

Trump strongly objected to this framing.

On Tuesday, he took to Truth Social to challenge the Journal’s headline and provide what he claimed was the real story.

“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable,” Trump began his post. “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.

“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 concluded by targeting Forbes magazine: “Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!”

The controversy over Chronister stemmed from his past actions. The Florida sheriff faced backlash after it surfaced that he had arrested a pastor for holding church services during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns—a detail that likely weighed on his nomination.

While Trump rejected the notion of a “setback,” his nomination process has undeniably been turbulent.

Reports suggest that Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing difficulties garnering support for confirmation, prompting speculation that Trump may consider an alternative nominee.

This follows another setback with former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrawing from consideration for attorney general.

Despite these challenges, some of Trump’s cabinet choices—such as Pam Bondi for attorney general and Marco Rubio for secretary of state—are seen as having stronger prospects for confirmation.

Trump is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20.