President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Virginia's Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, who is a 21-year veteran of the agency.

Virginia GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Cole to lead the state's law enforcement in 2023, to replace former Secretary Bob Mosier, who retired, and has credited the nominee with the apprehension of thousands of pounds of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, through the governor's Operation Free initiative.

Trump praised Cole's extensive law enforcement career in a post on Truth Social, and highlighted his foreign stints in Colombia, Afghanistan, and Mexico City. 

"I am pleased to announce that Terry Cole will be the next Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator," Trump wrote in the post. "Together, we will save lives, and MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. Congratulations Terry!"

Youngkin celebrated the nomination in his own statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“This is a great pick by President Trump," the governor said. "As Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Terry Cole has done an outstanding job keeping Virginians safe, fighting fentanyl, human trafficking and illegal immigration ... It’s a great day to be an American and a bad day to be a drug dealer.” 

Cole will still need to be confirmed by the United States Senate. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.