On December 15, 2025, President Trump issued an order to classify illicit fentanyl and its precursors as weapons of mass destruction. This gives the President the authority to deploy stronger federal and military tools against trafficking cartels.
A weapon of mass destruction is defined as a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon able to cause widespread devastation and loss of life. It is a weapon with the capacity to inflict death and destruction on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat.
The President highlighted the drug’s contribution to 200-300,000 deaths annually, fueling the overdose crisis that resulted in over 70,000 lives lost in 2023. Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45.
The signing coincided with awarding border defense medals to troops and followed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China over fentanyl flows.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump announces he is signing an executive order to classify Fentanyl as a WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION
“No bomb does what this is doing. 200-300K die every YEAR — that we know of!” pic.twitter.com/LEy69lcqqX
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 15, 2025
In areas like Kensington, users appear frozen, hunched, and unaware, victims of fentanyl or xylazine-laced drugs.
That video seems unreal. It’s no wonder the President is going after traffickers.
Dumbest thing he’s said, I think. The government says the people at risk are those seeking illegal drugs, including “off schedule” prescription drugs to save money. Fentanyl does not seek out and destroy people who are not engaged in illegal activity.
And yet, it destroys lives.