Trump Declares Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction
The designation is unprecedented for a narcotic and reflects Trump’s effort to frame fentanyl not only as a public health crisis but as a national security threat comparable to chemical weapons, as per a Reuters report.
Trump Declares Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction
By classifying fentanyl this way, the order allows the Pentagon to assist domestic law enforcement and permits intelligence agencies to use tools typically reserved for countering weapons proliferation against drug traffickers.
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Fentanyl Compared to Chemical Weapons
Trump said during a White House event honoring servicemembers assigned to help police the U.S. southern border with Mexico that, “We’re formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is,” adding, “They’re trying to drug out our country,” as quoted by Reuters.
The executive order states that “Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic,” as quoted in the report.
Drug Cartels Already Designated as Terrorist Organizations
The move builds on Trump’s broader crackdown on drug cartels, which his administration earlier designated as foreign terrorist organizations. That designation has already paved the way for military action. Since early September, the administration has carried out more than 20 strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in more than 80 deaths.ALSO READ: Green River levee failure sparks Flash Flood warning in Tukwila, Renton, and Kent – urgent evacuations underway
Legal Questions Raised Over Drug Vessel Strikes
Legal experts have questioned the legality of those strikes, noting that little or no public evidence has been presented to show the boats were carrying drugs or that sinking them was necessary instead of stopping the vessels, seizing their cargo, and questioning those on board.
Public opinion appears divided. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published Wednesday found that many Americans oppose the military campaign against the boats, including about one-fifth of Republicans who support Trump, as per the Reuters report.
Trump Signals Broader Action Against Drug Trafficking
Trump has also repeatedly threatened strikes on land in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico as part of his efforts to combat drug trafficking. In a sweeping foreign policy strategy document released last week, he said his administration’s focus would be on reasserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
Mexico and China Linked to Fentanyl Supply Chain
Mexico remains the largest source of illicit fentanyl entering the United States, while many of the chemicals used to produce the drug are sourced from China, as per the Reuters report. Fentanyl continues to be one of the leading causes of overdose deaths nationwide.
FAQs
Why did Trump declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction?
To treat fentanyl as a national security threat rather than only a public health issue.
Why is fentanyl such a major concern in the US?
It is one of the leading causes of overdose deaths nationwide.