President Donald Trump made it clear on Monday that when it comes to protecting Americans from deadly drugs pouring across the border, he’s not interested in half-measures — and he’s definitely not interested in tiptoeing around narco-terrorists.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he would be “okay” with authorizing strikes inside Mexico if that’s what it takes to stop the flow of drugs killing Americans every single day. And honestly, when you’re losing hundreds of thousands of people to overdoses, it’s not hard to understand the urgency — unless you’re a Washington politician who thinks sternly worded letters solve everything.
Trump pointed out the success of recent operations in the Caribbean Sea, where the administration has carried out 11 strikes in two months, taking out over 80 suspected drug traffickers. According to the administration, those efforts have stopped at least 85% of drug trafficking through waterways. Not bad for the same man critics claim “doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
But Trump didn’t stop there. He highlighted that the real problem isn’t just out at sea — it’s on land, largely across the southern border, where fentanyl and other deadly drugs enter the U.S. through ports of entry and passenger vehicles.
“Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? That’s okay with me,” he said. “Whatever we have to do to stop drugs. We know every route. We know the addresses of every drug lord. We know their front door.”
That last line — classic Trump. Straightforward, blunt, and the kind of energy most Americans wish their leaders had when dealing with cartels instead of pretending they’re misunderstood entrepreneurs.
When asked if he’d notify Mexico beforehand, Trump replied that he “wouldn’t answer that question,” adding that Mexico already knows exactly where he stands. And given how he negotiates, they probably do.
Mexico’s government, of course, quickly restated that it opposes U.S. military operations on its soil. President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted Mexico “does not subordinate itself,” which sounds strong — until you remember the cartels have done far more subordinating to the Mexican state than the U.S. ever has.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the administration is considering drone deployments in Mexico and that six major Mexican cartels have now been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations — a move long overdue for groups operating more like militant armies than street gangs.
Trump also mentioned being open to hitting cocaine factories in Colombia — because why stop at one continent when you’re already cleaning house?
Critics will complain, as usual, about congressional authorization, geopolitical sensitivities, and international norms. But at the end of the day, Trump is focused on one thing: stopping the drugs that are killing Americans. And unlike the political class that’s content with endless committees and “task forces,” he’s willing to take action.
Whether the Washington establishment likes it or not, Trump’s message is simple: American lives come first, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to protect them — something most people can appreciate in a leader.
