Trump's Drug Czar Pick Backs Out After Opioids Report

A critical report accusing lawmakers of helping drugmakers flood the market with addictive opioids has claimed its first political victim: GOP Rep. Tom Marino will not be the nation's next drug czar, reports Politico. Marino "has informed me that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as drug czar," President Trump tweeted. "Tom is a fine man and a great Congressman!"

The joint investigation by the Washington Post and 60 Minutes said the Pennsylvania congressman was the chief advocate of a 2016 law that dramatically reduced the DEA's ability to stem the flow of opioids. After the report came out, Trump said he was "looking into it," and pledged to pull Marino's name from contention if he determined that the congressman had hurt the fight against opioids. Trump is expected to formally declare a national emergency next week. (More drug czar stories.)