Trump's drug czar nominee falls through, and an outgoing GOP congressman seeks the role.

A source close to the situation revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that outgoing GOP Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., is seeking to become the next head of President-elect Donald Trump's Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) after Trump's initial nominee withdrew from the race.

D'Esposito has been campaigning hard for his bid and has been actively making calls to people in Trump's orbit to get his name to the top, according to a source who indicated that he has been working to consolidate support from regional law enforcement unions.

Over the weekend, Trump nominated Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister for the role, but Chronister withdrew his name on Tuesday due to criticism from Republicans over his handling of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2022 election, D'Esposito, who was first elected to represent a Long Island congressional district that supported Biden in 2020, lost his re-election bid to Democrat Laura Gillen.

On Wednesday, the Nassau County Detectives Association urged Trump to appoint D'Esposito as the next head of the DEA, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security, to combat the growing fentanyl crisis in the US.

On Wednesday, the group praised D'Esposito's leadership and commitment as a respected member of Congress, stating that he has the necessary skills to assist DJT in achieving his goal of making America safe again.

The DEA's next head, D'Esposito, has not been confirmed by Trump's transition team, according to Planet Chronicle Digital.