Today, President Donald J. Trump took a significant step in the fight against the opioid crisis by signing an Executive Order that designates illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This landmark order empowers the Attorney General to swiftly pursue criminal charges, enhance sentencing, and seek variances in cases related to fentanyl trafficking. This decisive action signals a robust commitment to combating the fentanyl epidemic that has devastated communities across America.
The Executive Order also mandates the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to take appropriate actions against the assets and financial institutions involved in or supporting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit fentanyl. This comprehensive approach aims to dismantle the financial networks that enable the proliferation of this deadly substance.
Furthermore, the order directs the Secretary of War and the Attorney General to evaluate whether the Department of War should enhance national security resources for the Department of Justice during emergencies involving a WMD. Additionally, the Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is tasked with updating chemical incident response directives to address the specific threat posed by fentanyl. The Secretary of Homeland Security is also instructed to identify fentanyl smuggling networks by utilizing WMD and nonproliferation-related threat intelligence.
President Trump is determined to unleash every available resource against the cartels and foreign networks that have transformed fentanyl into the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. Illicit fentanyl, which is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic, has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Alarmingly, just two milligrams of fentanyl—equivalent to 10-15 grains of table salt—is considered a lethal dose.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, the profits from fentanyl trafficking are often funneled into funding assassinations, terrorism, and insurgencies. These funds are used to wage armed conflicts over trafficking routes and other aspects of their operations. The potential for fentanyl to be weaponized for large-scale terror attacks by organized adversaries poses a significant threat to national security. By designating illicit fentanyl as a WMD, President Trump is ensuring that the full weight of the federal government is mobilized to confront fentanyl as the lethal chemical weapon it truly is.
President Trump is unwavering in his resolve to dismantle the cartels, eradicate illicit fentanyl from America's streets, and ensure the safety of every family from this dangerous chemical weapon. Upon returning to office, President Trump declared a National Emergency at the southern border, which allowed the United States to gain operational control, combat the cartels, and secure the nation against the influx of dangerous drugs.
Under his administration, eight cartels have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, to counter their violence and drug trafficking activities. In response to the failure of Mexico, Canada, and China to adequately address the flow of poisonous fentanyl, President Trump imposed tariffs aimed at curbing this crisis.
Moreover, he has authorized military strikes to intercept lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and disrupt the operations of the narcoterrorists poisoning the American populace. President Trump also signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. By designating illicit fentanyl as a WMD, he is taking the fight to the next level to stop the cartels and protect American families from this grave threat.