Trump designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction in sweeping new order

US President Donald Trump said on December 16 that he is signing a new executive order to officially label fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The White House shared a video of his announcement on X, where Trump spoke about the growing danger of the drug. The decision comes as his administration steps up action against drug cartels operating in Latin America, according to AFP.

In the video, Trump said the move is meant to save American lives. He described fentanyl as a deadly drug that is spreading rapidly across the country. “Today, I’m taking strong steps to protect Americans from the deadly fentanyl coming into our country,” Trump said.

He explained that the executive order would officially place fentanyl in the same category as the most dangerous weapons. “I am formally calling fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction — because that’s exactly what it is,” he said.