The new Trump Department of Justice has a huge mess to clean up. The former administration created a nightmare dilemma.
And now the U.S. attorney general has a sobering message to share with Americans in this Fox News interview.
America Fights Back: Trump’s Crackdown on China’s Fentanyl Pipeline
The Trump administration has taken a decisive stand against one of the deadliest threats facing America today: the fentanyl crisis. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a fiery appearance on Fox Business’s “Kudlow” on Monday, laid bare the chilling reality of how China’s lethal exports are infiltrating the United States. Her words carry the weight of a nation grappling with a drug epidemic that claims tens of thousands of lives annually, and the administration’s bold actions signal a new era of accountability for those fueling this crisis.
Bondi didn’t mince words when she described China’s role in the fentanyl scourge. “The precursors are all made in China. It’s shipped to Mexico, into our country, or through, now, India, other routes, ports of entry, USPS, coming into our country, and they’re k*lling our kids, and it’s got to stop,” she told host Larry Kudlow. Her statement points to a complex web of international trafficking that the Trump administration is determined to dismantle. By targeting the source of these deadly chemicals, the administration is addressing the crisis head-on, refusing to let foreign actors exploit America’s vulnerabilities.
The statistics are staggering. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin, is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 34. Bondi emphasized the human toll, noting, “75,000 Americans are dying every year because of fentanyl. It is a weapon of mass destruction, in my opinion. It’s destroying lives. It’s costing our taxpayers trillions of dollars. And it’s k*lling our kids, 18 to 34, [the] number one cause of death.” The Trump administration’s focus on this issue demonstrates a commitment to protecting the nation’s youth, who are disproportionately affected by this crisis.
To illustrate the drug’s deadly potency, Bondi held up a single grain of table salt during her interview, issuing a stark warning. “It takes one grain of fentanyl. I put it in here to show you earlier. You can barely see it. It looks like one grain. This is salt, not fentanyl. One grain is all it takes to k*ll an American citizen, and that’s what these people are doing,” she said. This vivid demonstration drives home the urgency of the administration’s efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl into the country. A single misstep can be fatal, and the Trump team is working tirelessly to ensure fewer Americans fall victim.
The administration’s recent actions show a clear strategy to choke off the supply lines. On April 2, President Donald Trump signed an executive order closing the de minimis loophole, a longstanding policy that allowed shipments valued under $800 to enter the U.S. without tariffs or rigorous customs inspections. This loophole had become a gaping vulnerability, exploited by traffickers to smuggle fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. In 2022, over 80% of U.S. imports qualified for this exemption, with Customs processing a staggering 1.3 billion packages under the rule last year. Trump’s decisive move to shut this door is a game-changer in the fight against drug smuggling.
Bondi also pointed to the deceptive tactics used by traffickers, who lace recreational drugs with fentanyl, catching users unaware. “People don’t know they’re taking it. They think they’re taking a Xanax or an Adderall or doing cocaine or doing some recreational drug, a Molly, the college kid drug of choice, yet it’s laced, and all it takes is one grain of this junk to k*ll you,” she said. This alarming trend has made the crisis even more insidious, as young people experimenting with what they believe to be harmless substances are unknowingly putting their lives at risk. The administration’s crackdown aims to protect these vulnerable individuals from predatory trafficking networks.
The connection between the de minimis loophole and the fentanyl crisis is undeniable. After Congress raised the de minimis threshold in 2016, fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the U.S. surged by 350%, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Federal agents have reported a sharp increase in traffickers using this loophole to ship synthetic drugs, with many of the precursor chemicals originating in China. While much of the fentanyl entering the U.S. crosses the southern border, the administration recognizes that the global supply chain, particularly China’s role, must be addressed to stem the tide.
Trump’s executive order is a critical step toward restoring order and security. By subjecting more shipments to customs scrutiny, the administration is making it harder for traffickers to operate with impunity. This policy shift aligns with the broader goal of holding foreign actors accountable for their role in America’s drug epidemic. Bondi’s remarks suggest that China’s deliberate targeting of the U.S. market is no accident. “People in China don’t get addicted to fentanyl. [That’s] because they’re shipping it to our country to k*ll 18-to 34-year-olds,” she said. The administration’s tough stance sends a clear message: the U.S. will not tolerate this assault on its citizens.
The fight against fentanyl is not just about saving lives—it’s about safeguarding the nation’s future. The economic toll of the crisis, as Bondi noted, runs into the trillions, burdening taxpayers and straining public resources. By closing loopholes and strengthening enforcement, the Trump administration is alleviating this financial strain while prioritizing the safety of American communities. The executive order is a practical solution that addresses both the immediate threat of fentanyl and the long-term challenges of drug trafficking.
By targeting the international networks that supply fentanyl precursors, tightening customs regulations, and raising awareness of the drug’s dangers, the administration is taking a multi-pronged approach to a crisis that has devastated families and communities. With decisive leadership and a clear-eyed focus on results, the Trump team is working to ensure that America’s streets are safer and its future brighter.
The Federalist Wire will bring you any further comments and reports from the Department of Justice and US AG Pam Bondi.
