National In one year, Trump pivots fentanyl response from public health to drug war December 31, 20255:00 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition Brian Mann Trump shifts fentanyl response from public health to drug war in one year Listen 3:40 3:40 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed iframe src"https:www.npr.orgplayerembednx-s1-5653370nx-s1-9590602" width"100" height"290" frameborder"0" scrolling"no" title"NPR embedded audio player" President Donald Trump poses with a recently signed executive order classifying fentanyl as a "weapon of mass destruction," during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on December 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker hide caption toggle caption Anna Moneymaker In his first year back in office, President Trump reshaped U.S.
drug policy and the response to fentanyl deaths in sweeping, often chaotic fashion, rapidly dismantling efforts launched by the Biden administration aimed at expanding drug treatment. Many experts credit Biden-era public health policies with saving tens of thousands of lives.
But with new laws, executive orders, budget cuts, and military redeployments, Trump pivoted the nation from those strategies to a militarized drug war. "From day one of the Trump administration we declared an all-out war on the dealers, smugglers, traffickers and cartels," Trump said in July, during a signing ceremony for the Halt Fentanyl Act.
Trump has launched U.S. Naval strikes against alleged drug boats; designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations; classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction; and deployed National Guard troops in American cities and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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