UPDATE: In a groundbreaking move, President Donald Trump has officially classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD), marking a significant escalation in the fight against the opioid crisis. This announcement follows a powerful exchange with activist Sandy Snodgrass, who was present at the White House on December 1, 2025, for the signing of legislation aimed at enhancing fentanyl education, named after her late son, Bruce.
During the Oval Office event, Snodgrass shared a photo of her son, who tragically died from fentanyl at age 22, and pressed Trump on her vision to label fentanyl as a WMD. “I said, ‘President Trump, the next thing in the fight against fentanyl is to declare it a weapon of mass destruction,’” Snodgrass recounted. Trump responded affirmatively, “That’s a good idea. Why haven’t we done that?” This pivotal dialogue seems to have propelled the issue into the national spotlight.
The classification of fentanyl as a WMD aligns it with other dangerous substances like nuclear and biological weapons, which could reshape federal policies on drug trafficking and penalties for dealers. Experts are analyzing the potential ramifications of this designation, particularly regarding law enforcement’s enhanced tools to combat the opioid epidemic.
Sandy Snodgrass has been a resolute advocate since her son’s death in 2022, tirelessly lobbying for increased awareness and stricter penalties against drug traffickers. While she acknowledges that she may not have been the sole influence behind this executive order, her direct conversation with Trump highlighted the urgency of the fentanyl crisis.
Following their meeting, Snodgrass received an email from White House staff requesting a policy memo crafted by her niece, indicating that her advocacy resonated with the administration. The next day, she attended another meeting at the White House with high-ranking officials, including the administration’s drug czar, where the necessity of the WMD classification was discussed.
However, the White House has faced scrutiny regarding the role Snodgrass played in this decision. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson initially hesitated to credit Snodgrass, emphasizing the broader input Trump receives from various stakeholders. In a subsequent response, the White House reinforced Trump’s commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis for the “hundreds of thousands of Americans impacted,” acknowledging the need for innovative solutions to save lives.
This urgent update underscores a pivotal moment in the national conversation surrounding fentanyl and its devastating impact across the United States. As the opioid crisis continues to claim lives, the designation of fentanyl as a WMD could catalyze more aggressive federal action and public awareness campaigns.
NEXT: As this story develops, observers will be watching for immediate changes in drug enforcement policies and potential legislative measures aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis more effectively.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds.
