President Donald Trump has made fighting illegal drugs a top priority in his second term. In just nine months, his administration has taken aggressive steps to stop the flow of drugs into the United States. These actions include military strikes, increased border security, and strong financial penalties against drug networks. Supporters say this “whole of government” approach is working, but it has also sparked debate at home and abroad.
One of the most visible parts of Trump’s drug war are military actions. So far in 2025, the U.S. military has hit four boats off the coast of Venezuela. These boats were believed to be carrying illegal drugs. President Trump has also reviewed plans to go after gangs inside Venezuela and other countries. While he has not yet sent U.S. troops into Mexico, he made clear during his 2024 campaign that he is willing to do so if needed.
Trump’s team is also using financial tools to hurt the drug trade. The Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent, has taken action at least 25 times this year to freeze money and block transactions linked to drug cartels. These actions target Mexican cartels, drug traffickers in South and Central America, and even Chinese and Indian companies that supply chemicals used to make fentanyl. In June, Treasury officials labeled three Mexican banks as being of special concern for helping launder drug money.
“We are dismantling the financial systems that support these terrorists,” said John K. Hurley, a top Treasury official. He added that the president has made stopping drugs a national security priority.
Law enforcement agencies are also playing a major role. By the end of July, Homeland Security had made over 3,600 arrests tied to fentanyl. They also seized more than 27,000 pounds of the drug and over 2,200 pill presses. In August alone, agents seized more than 55,000 pounds of all kinds of illegal drugs. Border officials say fentanyl trafficking at the southern border has dropped by 56% compared to 2024.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the border is now “the most secure it has ever been,” and that drug cartels are struggling to adapt. She credited Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for giving law enforcement the tools they need.
Former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have praised Trump’s strategy. One said the president is doing what experts have long called for: attacking drug networks on multiple fronts. Another former official called this the “golden age” of the drug war.
Still, Trump’s approach has not been without problems. In cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, immigration agents have faced strong pushback. ICE actions in Los Angeles led to major protests and even riots. Trump responded by sending in National Guard troops, which upset some local leaders.
Internationally, Trump’s focus on Venezuela is drawing attention. The U.S. has ended talks with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, whom Trump blames for allowing the country to become a drug hub. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly supported regime change in Venezuela. Earlier this month, the White House told Congress that the U.S. is now in “armed conflict” with drug terrorists. Though some fear this could lead to a wider war, others see Trump’s actions as necessary.
Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, thanked Trump for his support. She called him a key ally in the fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela.
At the same time, Trump is considering a major change to U.S. drug policy. He is still pushing forward with the reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This move, which began under President Biden, would allow more medical research and could benefit the economy. Trump has said the issue is complicated but sees promise in medical uses.
In sum, Trump’s war on drugs is shaping up to be one of the most active in decades. It combines military action, financial pressure, and law enforcement at home. While it has shown early signs of success, the president is also balancing public backlash and the risk of wider conflict abroad. As the year continues, how Trump handles these challenges may shape his legacy on drug policy.
