DEA Chief Stepping Down After Clashes with Trump Administration

Chuck Rosenberg, the current DEA administrator, plans to step down this week. Apparently, Rosenberg doesn’t want to work within the Trump Administration any longer. He’s been at odds with President Trump over the past few months.

Rosenberg has been in place since the Obama administration, Washington Post reports. On October 1, he will resign as acting DEA administrator. He’s proud to have led the administration, according to an email sent to his staff.

Rosenberg said via email that “the neighborhoods in which we live are better for your commitment to the rule of law, dedication to the cause of justice, and perseverance in the face of adversity. You will continue to do great things. I will continue to root for you, now from the sidelines.”

It’s been expected that President Trump would nominate an administrator of his own choosing. Rosenberg had a reputation of putting himself at odds with his White House and Justice Department superiors.

Attention was drawn to Rosenberg when he wrote to other DEA personnel disagreeing with President Trump’s comments in July where Trump said that criminal suspects should be treated rougher when being placed into law enforcement vehicles.

Rosenberg said, “We have an obligation to speak out when something is wrong.”

While it isn’t known who his replacement will be, it is speculation that Col. Joseph R. Fuentes of the New Jersey State Police, is a top contender. Also in consideration is Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein.

Rosenberg was asked by Rosenstein if he’d assume the role of the head of the DEA but Rosenberg declined.

Trump’s next nominee for becoming DEA administrator has to have a good plan or response to handling the country’s opioid crisis as well as determining a stance on marijuana enforcement and research efforts.

Rosenberg hasn’t been happy with the Justice Department’s blocking of marijuana research. More than two dozen requests to grow marijuana for research projects have been blocked by the Justice Department.

Rosenberg and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions do not see eye-to-eye on marijuana. Sessions opposes all aspects of marijuana, and Rosenberg wanted to see reforms take place.

The appointment of the next DEA administrator will be watched closely by the marijuana industry as the next head of the department may have an impact on the growing industry.

Photo: cnbc