Senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have identified fentanyl and the foreign drug cartels importing it into the U.S. as one of the most serious national security threats facing the country. In a recent report presented to the Senate Intelligence Committee, the administration emphasized the deadly impact of synthetic opioids, pointing to an alarming death toll linked to these substances.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard highlighted that in the 12 months ending October 2024, more than 54,000 American citizens died from synthetic opioid overdoses, with drug cartels playing a major role. The administration’s stance underscores a shift in focus toward treating fentanyl trafficking as not just a public health crisis, but a direct threat to national security.
