White House designates fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction

The White House has officially designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, citing the thousands of overdose deaths attributed to the illicit drug. The President signed an executive order with the move marking a significant step in the U.S. military's campaign against drug trafficking.
On Monday, the U.S. military targeted and struck three alleged drug boats in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of eight alleged narcoterrorists. These strikes are part of at least 25 operations aimed at drug traffickers.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other officials, briefed Congress about the ongoing boat strike campaign Tuesday.
"To counter designated terrorists organizations, cartels, bringing weapons, weapons meaning drugs, to the American people and poisoning the American people for far too long. We’re proud of what we’re doing." Hegseth said.
President Trump, who signed the executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, has accused Venezuelan cartels of trafficking the drug into the U.S.
"These are a direct military threat to our country. They’re trying to drug out our country," Trump said Monday.
Despite the designation, experts note that virtually no fentanyl comes from Venezuela. The drug is predominantly produced in Mexico with chemicals sourced from Asia. CDC data indicates fentanyl was responsible for more than 48,000 deaths in 2024.
Dr. Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, criticized the designation and questioned what kind of impact, if any, it would have on curbing the domestic toll of the drug.
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