A leaked report indicating President Donald Trump is considering declaring “illicit” fentanyl a “weapon of mass destruction” has triggered intense criticism and widespread concern among political commentators. Observers argue that the proposal could lead to significant domestic and international consequences.
The controversial executive order, which reportedly began circulating among top Trump administration officials in the Departments of State, Defense, and Justice last week, was first revealed by “The Handbasket” political newsletter. Journalist Marisa Kabas stated that the document might receive the president’s signature as early as next week.
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“The purpose is a combination of designating fentanyl cartels as terrorist organizations and creating justification for conducting military operations in Mexico and Canada,” Kabas quoted an anonymous administration source. “They also suspect that it will be used domestically as justification for rounding up homeless encampments and deporting drug users who are not citizens.”
Following this revelation, social media erupted with speculation and backlash, questioning the true intentions and implications of Trump’s plan. Critics expressed concern that this move could dramatically reshape American foreign and domestic policy.
New York Times opinion writer Jamelle Bouie reacted skeptically, noting, “Very excited to do 2002/2003 except somehow stupider and potentially more destructive.” Political commentator Adam Schwarz highlighted potential authoritarian motives behind the action, writing, “Trump to declare fentanyl as a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ to justify military ops in Mexico and Canada.
A classic authoritarian move to portray civilians as a security threat to justify disproportionate military responses.” Journalist Max Granger echoed similar fears, theorizing on social media that the declaration was “presumably to justify US military intervention in Mexico.”
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Meanwhile, Joe Sudbay, host of SiriusXM’s “State of the States,” accused the Trump administration of hypocrisy regarding opioid abuse. “Trump admin cares so much about fentanyl that they’re working with Republicans to gut Medicaid, which ‘subsidizes a burgeoning industry of rehabilitation facilities and treatment centers in [Kentucky] that has one of the country’s highest rates of opioid abuse,’” Sudbay pointed out.
Further criticisms highlighted medical implications, with Bluesky user Tom MacFarlan noting hospitals rely heavily on fentanyl as a last-resort painkiller. MacFarlan posed the question, “What are the chances hospitals stop using it or Trump goes after ‘woke’ hospitals (the ones that perform abortions) declaring their fentanyl illicit?”
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