President Donald Trump on Monday signed a historic executive order formally designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), escalating the federal government’s response to the ongoing opioid crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of American lives annually.

During a ceremony in the Oval Office, where he also presented medals to service members involved in border security operations, Trump described the move as a critical escalation in the fight against drug cartels and foreign networks trafficking the synthetic opioid.

“That is why today I am taking one more step to protect Americans from the scourge of deadly fentanyl flooding into our country,” Trump stated.

“With this historic Executive Order, I will sign today, we are formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, which is what it is. No bomb does what this is doing—200,000 to 300,000 people die every year, that we know of,” he lamented.

The executive order emphasises that illicit fentanyl is “closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic,” noting that a lethal dose can be as small as two milligrams, equivalent to 10-15 grains of table salt. It directs multiple federal agencies to intensify efforts, including pursuing asset freezes, enhanced prosecutions, and potential military support in emergencies involving the drug.

Key provisions include instructions for the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl trafficking cases with sentencing enhancements, the Secretaries of State and Treasury to target financial networks supporting production and distribution, and the Department of Homeland Security to use WMD-related intelligence for identifying smuggling operations.

The designation builds on prior administration actions, such as designating certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and imposing tariffs on countries linked to precursor chemical supplies.

White House officials argue it mobilises the full spectrum of national security tools against what they describe as a deliberate threat funding terrorism and undermining U.S. security.

Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, though recent data indicate a decline in overall overdose fatalities.

Provisional CDC figures show drug overdose deaths dropping significantly in 2024 compared to prior years, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl involved in the majority of cases.

Trump has claimed his border policies have contributed to reduced inflows, though most fentanyl enters through legal ports of entry.

Critics, including some legal experts and opposition lawmakers, have raised concerns about the unprecedented application of the WMD label-historically reserved for nuclear, biological, or chemical agents in warfare, to a narcotic, questioning potential implications for civil liberties and international relations.