President Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, toughening penalties for fentanyl trafficking.
At the White House ceremony, joined by lawmakers and families of overdose victims, he called it a “historic step toward justice.”
“We’ll be getting the drug dealers, pushers, and peddlers off our street, and we will not rest until we have ended the drug overdose epidemic,” Trump said. “And it’s been getting a little bit better, but it’s horrible.”
The bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act permanently classifies all fentanyl-related substances, including synthetic variants, as Schedule I drugs, boosting law enforcement power and penalties. The White House says this will deter cartels from creating new fentanyl-like compounds to evade regulation.
At the bill signing, speakers Greg Swan and Anne Funder shared stories of losing their sons to fentanyl. Trump, who has long used the fentanyl crisis to justify tariffs on Canada and Mexico, criticized both neighbors for not doing enough, despite most fentanyl entering through the southern border.
Trump has also imposed tariffs on China for failing to curb fentanyl production and, on Wednesday, highlighted his administration’s push to label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
President Donald J. Trump officially signs the HALT Fentanyl Act into law — permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
This bill will save lives. pic.twitter.com/f5uctUQ5wB
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 16, 2025
