Trump Designates Fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction in Unprecedented Drug War Escalation

"Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic," declared Trump's executive order.

Washington:

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed a landmark executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, substantially expanding the federal government's powers to combat the synthetic opioid responsible for thousands of annual American overdose fatalities.

This unprecedented designation for a narcotic substance elevates fentanyl from a public health issue to a national security threat comparable to chemical warfare agents.

The reclassification intensifies Trump's campaign against what he describes as criminal organizations deliberately flooding American communities with deadly drugs. It authorizes the Department of Defense to support law enforcement operations and permits intelligence agencies to utilize counterproliferation tools typically reserved for weapons threats against drug traffickers.

"We're formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is," Trump announced during a White House ceremony honoring military personnel assisting with southern border security operations. "They're trying to drug out our country."

His executive order explicitly stated, "Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic."

Earlier this year, Trump designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, paving the way for military interventions. Since early September, the administration has conducted over 20 strikes against suspected drug vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters, resulting in more than 80 fatalities.

Legal scholars question the legality of these operations, noting the absence of publicly available evidence confirming these vessels were transporting narcotics or that deadly force was necessary instead of interdiction, seizure, and interrogation.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday revealed widespread American opposition to the military's boat-targeting campaign, including approximately one-fifth of Republican voters.

Trump has repeatedly suggested potential military strikes within Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico to combat drug trafficking. A comprehensive strategy document published last week indicated the administration's foreign policy would prioritize reasserting American dominance throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Mexico represents the primary source of illicit fentanyl entering the United States, with many precursor chemicals originating from China. The synthetic opioid remains a principal cause of America's overdose epidemic.