Trump Signs Order Classifying Fentanyl as WMD

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday classifying illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, framing the synthetic opioid as a national security threat amid ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking into the United States.

The order, issued from the Oval Office, describes fentanyl as closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic due to its extreme potency. A lethal dose requires just two milligrams, an amount equivalent to 10 to 15 grains of table salt. It directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations and prosecutions against fentanyl traffickers, including enhanced criminal charges and sentencing. Secretaries of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Scott Bessent are instructed to target financial institutions and assets linked to the drug's manufacture and distribution. The Departments of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, will receive additional resources to address the threat, including updates to chemical incident response protocols and tools to counter cartels, countries, and organizations involved in production or smuggling.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Trump emphasized the...