According to President Donald Trump, the person he hand-picked to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy is dropping out as a candidate. The announcement was made on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017.
Rep. Tom Marino was the subject of an investigation by The Washington Post and “60 minutes” for his help steering legislation to make it more difficult for the DEA to act against huge drug businesses. Trump said on Twitter that Marino is an exceptional guy and he is a good congressman. However, the president dismissed the opportunity to continue backing Marino.
Instead, the president will declare a national emergency to address the widespread opioid issue. While many supporting Democrats, and at least one Republican, called for an adjustment or absolute abolition. The president says, “We’re going to be looking into” the investigation.
The president canceling Marino as his pick to manage the drugs of the United States is something that the Democrats advised him to do. The president fought for Marino saying, he was a supporter from the beginning. After seeing the report in question, the White House is going to be reviewing the information.
Marino is a 65-year-old man, who represents an area in Pennsylvania. The 10th Congressional District is essentially an agricultural place where people are intensely supporting the president. According to Sen. Claire McCaskill, Mariano fought for a law that made it harder to relieve the opioid crisis. This is a law that she vowed to remove as soon as possible.
It was not definite on Tuesday whether or not Marino will run again. He has served five terms. Congressional Democrats attacked Marino, calling him a part of an increasing slandering culture among House Republicans. Marino even admitted that he did not want to be a person of interest.
President Trump has signed a formal national disaster declaration and is calling for millions of federal dollars to help create more drug treatment centers. It would also supply police officers with Naloxone, which can stop the effects of an overdose. The president called the crisis ravaging to the families and communities.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said, “At this point, the whole House stinks and that will make it more difficult for House Republicans to defend their imperiled majority.” In 2010, Marino won his first seat and has won all of his races with more than 50 percent of the vote. Homeland Security, the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs are all committees that Marino sits on.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said that Trump’s announcement was the “right decision.” He also stated that the pick “is further evidence that when it comes to the opioid crisis, the Trump administration talks the talk, but refuses to walk the walk.”
The Democratic senator is from an area that has been struck intensely by the pain reliever. Schumer had early predicted that Marino would be rejected.
Written by Antwon Rogers
Edited by Jeanette Smith
Sources:
The Washington Post: Trump says drug czar nominee Tom Marino is withdrawing after Washington Post/‘60 Minutes’ investigation
NPR: Tom Marino, Trump’s Pick As Drug Czar, Withdraws After Damaging Opioid Report
NBC News: Trump’s Drug Czar Pick Tom Marino Withdraws Following Explosive Report
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License