Trump signs executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction

Published December 15, 2025 5:05pm ET



President Donald Trump signed an executive order marking fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction on Monday, escalating his war against drug trafficking during his second administration.

The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue criminal charges, sentencing enhancements, and sentencing variances in fentanyl trafficking cases, according to a White House fact sheet. It also directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to take actions against financial institutions involved in manufacturing or distributing the illegal sale of fentanyl.

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