Terry Cole Confirmed as DEA Administrator
Cole previously worked at the agency for 22 years.
The U.S. Senate today held a recorded vote to confirm one individual nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the executive branch of government - specifically in the U.S. Department of Justice led by Attorney General Pam Bondi since February 2025.
In a 50-47 vote, Terrance “Terry” Cole was confirmed as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The position has been held by an acting official since January 2025, when Anne Milgram resigned after serving since June 2021.
50 Republicans approved Cole’s nomination. All 45 Democrats and two Independents voted in opposition. Senators John Kennedy (R-LA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) did not vote.
Cole was nominated to this position by Trump in February 2025. Since June 2023, he has served as Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
This marks a return to the DEA where Cole previously worked from 1997 to 2019. During his tenure, he was stationed in Bogotá, Colombia; Chantilly, Virginia; Dallas, Texas; Kabul, Afghanistan; McAlester, Oklahoma; Mexico City, Mexico; and Washington, D.C. From December 2019 to June 2023, he was Senior Vice President of Threat Financial Matrix and Government Liaison at Aperia Solutions.