President Donald Trump made a bold declaration during his congressional address, announcing that his administration is taking unprecedented action to dismantle the violent Mexican drug cartels operating in the United States. Trump detailed his administration’s efforts to secure the southern border, designate cartels as terrorist organizations, and initiate a full-scale law enforcement and military effort to eradicate their influence.
“The cartels are waging war on America, and it is time for America to wage war on the cartels,” Trump stated. “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.” This designation allows the federal government to employ counterterrorism measures against cartel members and those who support them, significantly expanding the legal and operational tools available to law enforcement.
Trump did not shy away from pointing out the failures of previous policies, stating that the Biden administration’s lax border enforcement allowed cartel members and violent criminals to flood into the country. “Countless thousands of these terrorists were welcomed into the U.S. by the Biden administration,” he said. “But now every last one will be rounded up and forcibly removed from our country.” His remarks referenced recent high-profile murders committed by cartel-affiliated illegal immigrants, including Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Riley, both victims of brutal crimes tied to Venezuelan prison gang members.
Since taking office less than two months ago, Trump’s administration has already made strides in tackling the cartel threat. The president announced that, following negotiations and pressure from his administration, Mexican authorities have handed over 29 cartel leaders to the United States for prosecution—an unprecedented move that he credited to his use of tariffs as leverage. These extraditions mark a sharp shift in policy, signaling that Mexico is now cooperating more aggressively with the U.S. to combat organized crime.
Trump’s remarks were echoed by Border Czar Tom Homan, who emphasized the administration’s commitment to a global crackdown on cartel operations. “We’re not just going to attack them on the southern border, we’re going to attack them across the globe,” Homan said. He made it clear that the full force of the federal government, including intelligence agencies and military resources, would be used to destroy cartel networks.
A key strategy in the administration’s approach is cutting off the cartels’ financial pipelines. Trump and Homan both stressed that securing the border is a critical first step, as human trafficking and drug smuggling are primary sources of revenue for these criminal organizations. “If they don’t have money, they don’t have power,” Homan explained. “We’re going to shut them down one piece at a time.”
The fight against the cartels also serves as a broader effort to restore law and order in communities devastated by the violence and drug epidemics fueled by these organizations. The fentanyl crisis, which has claimed thousands of American lives, has been directly linked to cartel operations, with China supplying precursor chemicals to Mexican labs that manufacture the deadly drug.
Despite the gravity of the issue, Trump’s announcement was met with mixed reactions in Congress. His strong stance on border security and cartel enforcement was applauded by Republicans, while many Democrats remained seated during key moments of the address. The political divide underscores the broader debate over border enforcement and national security policy, issues that will likely shape upcoming legislative battles.
The crackdown on cartels is more than just an immigration or crime issue—it is a fight for national sovereignty, public safety, and justice for American victims of cartel violence. The president’s announcement signals a shift toward a more aggressive and proactive stance in combating criminal networks that have long operated with impunity.
