• Trump signed an executive order designating fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction".
• The order empowers the Pentagon and Justice Department to combat fentanyl trafficking.
• Trump claims fentanyl leads to 200,000-300,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
• Fentanyl's classification as a WMD reflects a shift towards militarizing the drug response.
• The executive order links fentanyl trafficking to national security and terrorism risks.

On December 15, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that classifies illicit fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction" (WMD), a designation that escalates the government's authority in combating the opioid crisis and drug trafficking. Trump emphasized during the signing that "no bomb does what this is doing," citing a staggering number of deaths attributed to fentanyl, which his administration states falls within the range of 200,000 to 300,000 annually, transforming public health issues into a matter of national security, according to The Hill and CBS News.

The order was signed during a ceremony in the Oval Office where Trump also awarded medals to U.S. troops for their role in patrolling the southern border. "Illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic," the executive order asserts, highlighting the national security threat posed by organized drug cartels and criminal networks. This reflects a strategy aimed at treating fentanyl trafficking as a serious offense warranting military and law enforcement collaboration, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

Under the new order, various U.S. agencies—including the Department of Defense and the Justice Department—are directed to enhance their efforts against fentanyl trafficking networks. Trump stated that the order "unleashes every available tool" against those responsible for the fentanyl crisis, suggesting possible military involvement in operations targeting drug traffickers, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.

In conjunction with this classification, Trump reiterated his administration’s stance that foreign adversaries are complicit in the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States. This aligns with the broader narrative of treating drug cartels as "narco-terrorists" and justifying military action against them, which has already seen over 20 military strikes against suspected drug vessels in international waters. This approach raises questions about legality and effectiveness, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

Experts have expressed skepticism regarding the efficacy of labeling fentanyl as a WMD, arguing it does not address the root causes of opioid addiction or the dynamics of drug trafficking. Critics contend that such militarization of drug policy is unlikely to reduce overdose deaths or limit drug supply in communities across America, possibly leading to unintended consequences, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.