President Trump has launched a bold offensive against Mexican drug cartels, officially designating these criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups on par with ISIS. This decisive action signals a dramatic shift in how America will combat the deadly flow of drugs and violence across our southern border.
At a Glance
- Trump officially designated Mexican drug cartels and MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations on his first day back in office
- The president declared “it is time for America to wage war on the cartels” during his address to Congress
- Trump compared these cartels to ISIS, elevating their threat status in national security priorities
- The administration has already secured the capture of 29 cartel leaders through pressure on Mexico
- Border Czar Tom Homan announced plans to deploy the “full might” of federal resources to combat cartels globally
Trump Declares War on Cartels
In a powerful address to Congress that put America’s enemies on notice, President Donald Trump formally classified Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, marking a significant elevation in how the federal government will combat these violent criminal enterprises. The designation places these deadly cartels in the same category as internationally recognized terrorist groups, unlocking powerful tools in America’s national security arsenal to dismantle their operations.
“The cartels are waging war on America and it is time for America to wage war on the cartels,” Trump said.
The President’s decisive action represents a stark departure from the Biden administration’s approach, which conservatives have long criticized for enabling what they see as an unprecedented invasion across America’s southern border. Trump’s designation empowers federal agencies to target cartel finances, operations, and leadership with the full force of America’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
Per incoming Trump administration officials, here are some of the executive actions and orders the president will sign today:
Border/immigration:
– Declare a national emergency to send the military to the border and finish construction of a wall
– Direct the military to close…— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) January 20, 2025
Equating Cartels with ISIS
Trump made no attempt to minimize the severity of the threat these organizations pose to American communities and families. By officially categorizing Mexican drug cartels alongside groups like ISIS, the administration signals that these criminal enterprises will face the same level of aggressive pursuit and disruption that America typically reserves for its most dangerous foreign enemies.
“Two weeks ago, I officially designated this gang, along with MS-13 and the bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations. They are now officially in the same category as ISIS,” Trump said.
The president highlighted the devastating human cost of the previous administration’s border policies, citing specific cases of innocent Americans murdered by illegal aliens connected to vicious gangs. These heart-wrenching examples underscore the urgency behind the administration’s aggressive new approach to border security and cartel dismantlement.
Strategy Already Showing Results
The Trump administration’s tough stance isn’t just rhetoric – it’s already yielding tangible results. Utilizing economic pressure through tariff threats, the administration has successfully compelled Mexican authorities to surrender 29 cartel leaders, demonstrating the effectiveness of Trump’s negotiation tactics on the international stage. The President’s willingness to use America’s economic leverage has proven far more effective than the diplomatic niceties favored by previous administrations.
“All three savages charged with Jocelyn and Laken’s murders were members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua,” Trump noted, connecting the dots between lax border enforcement and violent crime.
Border Czar Tom Homan has been tasked with implementing the administration’s comprehensive strategy, which includes securing the southern border to choke off cartel funding from drug and human trafficking operations. The approach represents a multi-pronged effort that combines law enforcement, military, and economic tools to attack cartel operations on multiple fronts simultaneously. With the cartels now designated as terrorists, U.S. special forces could potentially play a role in operations that would have been off-limits under previous policy frameworks.
