Manchin Thanks Trump for Moving on From Marino as Drug Czar

Sen. Joe Manchin on Tuesday thanked President Donald Trump for moving on from his candidate to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, having said earlier that Rep. Tom Marino would become drug czar "over my dead body."

Manchin had been busy lobbying against Marino's candidacy since Sunday night's "60 Minutes" report that found the Pennsylvania Republican had actually greased the skids for big pharma to flood the country with more opioids.

.@realDonaldTrump - thanks for recognizing we need a drug czar who has seen the devastating effects of the problem. https://t.co/hTlkClveN5

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) October 17, 2017

I look forward to working with @realDonaldTrump to find a drug czar that will serve #WV and our entire country.

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) October 17, 2017

Prior to the president's announcement on Twitter that Marino had withdrawn from consideration, Manchin went on CNN's "New Day" to pledge his fight against Marino's candidacy to lead the DEA.

Marino's candidacy was on life support as soon as Trump refused to immediately defend or express confidence in Marino during a press conference in the Rose Garden on Monday.

Journalists took to Twitter to weigh in on the news while also bringing up what effects could trickle down to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, who has announced she'll run for Senate to replace retiring GOP Sen. Bob Corker in 2018.

When will Marsha Blackburn’s Senate bid follow Tom Marino’s drug czar nomination?

— Ray Locker (@rlocker12) October 17, 2017

Tom Marino’s withdrawal is proof that good journalism can still change things, even in the “post-factual,” “nothing matters” Trump era. https://t.co/I6I5tAFRIK

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) October 17, 2017

Reassured once again that incredible journalism can right wrongs: #TomMarino pulls name after @60Minutes /WaPo story https://t.co/syFSlIVZub

— Peggy Bunker (@PeggyBunker) October 17, 2017

Good, Tom Marino is culpable in hundreds of thousands of negligent homocides.

— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) October 17, 2017

• Drug Distributors Fall Ahead of '60 Minutes' on Opioid Crisis
• First Lady Listens, Learns About Opioid Crisis