President-elect Donald Trump said he pulled Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff, from being nominated to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration after Chronister announced he was taking himself out. 

Chronister had said he withdrew his nomination because “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration.”

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“There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County,” he added.

On Wednesday, however, Trump said in a social media post, mainly focused on his grievances against the Wall Street Journal, he pulled his support for the pick over previous comments Chronister made about “my pastors and other supporters.”

“He didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,” Trump said on Truth Social.

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Trump may be referring to a time early on in the COVID-19 pandemic when Chronister arrested a Tampa-area pastor at a megachurch for defying a local lockdown ordinance, according to CNN. Chronister was also critical of people who continued to attend religious services during the pandemic. 

“Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wake-up call.”

The MAGA sector of the Republican Party was upset by Trump picking Chronister. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said Chronister “should be disqualified” over his enforcement of COVID-19 protocols. 

In his original post announcing the nomination, Trump said Chronister “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.”

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Outgoing Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), who lost his bid for reelection last month, has been lobbying Trump to be the new pick to lead the DEA.

This is now Trump’s second nomination to withdraw their name from running. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) withdrew his name after an unreleased ethics report from the House surrounding his alleged sex trafficking, sexual relations with a minor, and illicit drug use, was looming around his nomination. Gaetz and the Trump team determined the votes required to confirm his nomination in the Senate were not there as a result.