Key Takeaways
- President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemical as weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
- The Order directs various government agencies to take action against those involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit fentanyl
- The goal is to stop fentanyl from poisoning Americans and to dismantle the cartels and foreign networks that have turned fentanyl into a leading cause of death
- President Trump has taken various measures to combat the fentanyl crisis, including declaring a National Emergency at the southern border and designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
- The designation of illicit fentanyl as a WMD is a significant step in the fight against the cartels and the protection of American families
Introduction to the Fentanyl Crisis
The fentanyl crisis in the United States has reached alarming proportions, with hundreds of thousands of Americans losing their lives to this deadly substance. President Donald J. Trump has taken bold action to address this crisis, signing an Executive Order that designates illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemical as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This move is a significant step in the fight against the cartels and foreign networks that have turned fentanyl into a leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. With just two milligrams of fentanyl considered a lethal dose, equivalent to 10-15 grains of table salt, the potential for this substance to be used as a chemical weapon is a serious threat to national security.
The Executive Order and Its Implications
The Executive Order signed by President Trump directs the Attorney General to immediately pursue criminal charges, sentencing enhancements, and sentencing variances in fentanyl trafficking cases. It also instructs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to take action against relevant assets and financial institutions involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals. Furthermore, the Order directs the Secretary of War and Attorney General to determine whether the Department of War should provide enhanced national security resources to the Department of Justice during an emergency situation involving a WMD. The Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is also tasked with updating chemical incident response-related directives to include the fentanyl threat. These measures demonstrate the seriousness with which the Trump administration is treating the fentanyl crisis and its commitment to using every available tool to combat it.
The Threat of Fentanyl and Its Potential for Weaponization
Illicit fentanyl is a highly potent substance that can be easily concealed and transported, making it a potential weapon of mass destruction. The cartels and foreign networks that manufacture and distribute fentanyl use the profits to fund violent activities, including assassinations, terrorism, and insurgencies. The potential for fentanyl to be weaponized for large-scale terror attacks is a serious threat to the United States, and President Trump’s designation of it as a WMD recognizes this reality. By taking this step, the Trump administration is ensuring that the full weight of the federal government is focused on confronting fentanyl as the deadly chemical weapon it is. This move is a significant escalation of the war on fentanyl and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to protecting American lives.
President Trump’s Record on Combating Fentanyl
President Trump has a long record of taking action to combat the fentanyl crisis. Immediately upon returning to office, he declared a National Emergency at the southern border, which allowed the United States to gain operational control of the border and combat the cartels. He also designated eight cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), including Tren de Aragua and MS-13, to combat their violence and drug trafficking. Additionally, President Trump imposed tariffs on countries that failed to address the flow of poisonous fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. He also authorized military strikes to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and disrupt the narcoterrorists who are poisoning the American people. The signing of the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, which permanently classified fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, was another significant step in the fight against fentanyl.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The designation of illicit fentanyl as a WMD is a significant step in the fight against the cartels and the protection of American families. President Trump’s commitment to using every available tool to combat the fentanyl crisis is clear, and his administration will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle the cartels and foreign networks that have turned fentanyl into a leading cause of death. The next steps will involve continued cooperation between government agencies and a sustained effort to disrupt the supply chains and financial networks that support the fentanyl trade. With the full weight of the federal government focused on confronting fentanyl as the deadly chemical weapon it is, there is hope that the tide of the fentanyl crisis can be turned and American lives can be protected.
