Drug Cartels Named Terrorist Organizations as Trump Declares National Emergency [WATCH]

Shortly after being sworn in for his second term, President Donald Trump wasted no time fulfilling key campaign promises by signing a series of executive orders addressing the illegal immigration crisis.

The orders, signed both at the Capitol One Center and later in the Oval Office, tackle border security, drug cartels, and immigration enforcement.

One of the most notable orders designates foreign drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

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This classification provides federal prosecutors with extraterritorial authority under U.S. law to target cartel members and their associates.

Under the new designation, individuals providing “material support” to cartels—including smugglers, lookouts, money launderers, public officials, and even drug clients—can be prosecuted with mandatory minimum prison terms ranging from 10 to 80 years.

They could also face fines up to $125,000 and significant asset forfeitures.

The designation has implications for immigration enforcement as well.

Migrants paying cartels for smuggling services will now be considered as providing “material support” to a terrorist organization, potentially subjecting them to immediate deportation under U.S. immigration law.

According to the America First Policy Institute, the designation also applies political pressure on Mexico to crack down on cartel activity.

“The Mexican government, with its deep and ongoing ties to the cartels, explicitly opposes an FTO designation. The consequences of an FTO designation could expose these connections,” the institute noted.

When asked about the possibility of deploying U.S. Special Forces against the cartels, Trump did not rule out the option.

“Could happen. Stranger things have happened,” he stated while signing the order.

President Trump also declared a national emergency to address what he described as a crisis along the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada.

#BREAKING: President Trump has just signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

They can now be targeted with LETHAL FORCE by the U.S. military.

This is HUGE. pic.twitter.com/WAf7HhKVAY

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 21, 2025

The emergency declaration enables the administration to redirect federal funds to enhance border security and resume construction on the border wall—a project that had been halted under former President Joe Biden.

Under the National Emergencies Act, the president now has access to 100 statutory authorities to address the crisis.

These include deploying military and National Guard personnel to the border to assist with enforcement.

While details on troop deployment remain unclear, Trump has consistently advocated for using the military to secure borders rather than engaging in overseas conflicts.

The national emergency declaration allows the administration to act swiftly without waiting for congressional approval.

Although Congress has the authority to override the declaration, it would require a veto-proof majority to do so. Presidents can also renew national emergencies indefinitely, barring successful congressional action.

In addition to addressing cartels and border security, Trump reinstated several immigration policies from his first term.

These include the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are processed.

The controversial Title 42 policy, which allows border officials to deny entry based on public health concerns, will also return, giving agents additional tools to prevent illegal crossings.

With these executive orders, President Trump has moved quickly to implement his agenda, emphasizing his commitment to tackling illegal immigration and securing the nation’s borders.

The measures signal a return to the hardline immigration policies that defined his first term, with added focus on combating cartels and reinforcing national security.

As the administration rolls out these policies, their long-term impact on immigration, border security, and U.S.-Mexico relations remains to be seen.

However, Trump’s swift actions underscore his determination to prioritize border enforcement in his second term.

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