Trump signs executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This move, announced on Monday, reflects intensified U.S. efforts to combat the escalating opioid crisis, which has led to a substantial rise in overdose fatalities across the nation.

The executive order arises in the wake of highly publicized confrontations involving U.S. strikes against boats suspected of trafficking drugs and alleged narco-terrorists operating from Venezuela. Critics have raised concerns about the legality of these actions, questioning their adherence to international laws governing military engagement.

In a press briefing at the Oval Office, the President emphasized the significant toll fentanyl has taken on American lives. He articulated that the synthetic opioid is inflicting a level of harm comparable to traditional weapons, declaring that no conventional explosive causes as much devastation as fentanyl. His comments sought to underscore the urgency of addressing what he described as an attempt to “drug out our country.”

The Department of Homeland Security has historically defined weapons of mass destruction as any radiological, chemical, biological, or other device intended to inflict mass harm. The executive order underscores the dangerous nature of illicit fentanyl, noting that as little as two milligrams—roughly equating to 10 to 15 grains of table salt—can be lethal. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that fentanyl-related overdoses claimed the lives of over 80,000 Americans in 2024, making it the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the U.S.

The order mandates Attorney General Pam Bondi to initiate immediate investigations and prosecutions related to fentanyl trafficking. It further instructs the State and Treasury departments to focus on identifying and targeting the financial assets of individuals linked to drug trafficking networks. The Defense and Homeland Security departments are also empowered with additional resources to address organizations involved in the manufacturing or distribution of fentanyl.

This executive action follows previous measures taken by Trump, who had previously instituted tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico for their perceived insufficient efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States. He has labeled several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and has threatened military strikes in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico in an attempt to disrupt drug trafficking operations.

The announcement of the executive order coincided with a ceremony honoring military personnel awarded the Mexican Border Defense Medal for their service on the southern border, further highlighting the administration’s focus on border security and drug enforcement. The classification of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction marks a pronounced shift in the U.S. government’s approach to combating drug-related issues, elevating the opioid crisis to a matter of national security.