Fentanyl Drop Is No Mystery: It’s the Result of Strong Policies

In yet another episode showcasing just how disconnected some media outlets are from both common sense and factual reality, The Washington Post has published a headline bordering on ideological manipulation: "The Mysterious Drop in Fentanyl Seizures at the U.S.-Mexico Border." A headline that, while attempting to pose as analytical, is actually a direct affront to the efforts of an administration that has taken the security of the southern border seriously.

Calling the drop in fentanyl seizures “mysterious” is a crude way of sowing doubt among the public. There is nothing mysterious about this decrease — it is the direct result of clear, firm, zero-tolerance policies on drug trafficking, implemented under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump in his second term.

From Denial to Disinformation
For years, legacy media outlets have accused the Trump administration of “xenophobia,” “authoritarianism,” and “lack of compassion” every time firm measures were taken to secure the border. Now that those very policies are producing tangible results — like a sharp decline in fentanyl trafficking — those same outlets choose to minimize or distort the facts.

In a recent press briefing, the White House press secretary was unequivocal:

"There’s no mystery as to why there’s a decrease in fentanyl coming into the United States. The strong border policies of this administration are the reason."

And she’s right. With President Trump’s return to the White House, border enforcement protocols dismantled under the previous administration were reinstated and strengthened. Agreements with Mexico and Central American countries were revived to curb migration flows. Joint operations with intelligence and security agencies were reactivated, and physical and technological barriers were upgraded at key border crossings.

A New Understanding with Mexico
Another key factor in this success has been the renewed cooperation with the new Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum. While ideologically distant, the bilateral relationship has found common ground on one vital issue: fighting drug trafficking.

"This administration’s policies, and its strengthened relationship with President Sheinbaum, have been essential in deterring both human and drug trafficking at our southern border," added the press secretary.

Contrary to what many in the media expected, Sheinbaum has actively participated in anti-cartel operations, deploying the Mexican National Guard to intercept illegal trafficking routes. This cooperation — unprecedented in many ways — has led to historic arrests and logistical disruptions that have had a direct impact on cartel activity.

Journalism or Political Activism?
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this entire episode isn’t just the lack of journalistic rigor by The Washington Post, but their blatant refusal to publish the factual information provided to them by the government.

"Our office responded to their inquiry. We provided a list of reasons explaining the drop in fentanyl seizures at the southern border. The Washington Post refused to publish them — and that’s disgraceful," the press secretary concluded.

This behavior does more than erode trust in the media — it fuels the perception that many outlets are no longer reporting the news, but promoting an agenda. Instead of correcting course, mainstream media continues to push a narrative that contradicts hard data and ignores the real accomplishments of the current administration.

The Real Crisis Was Leniency
Between 2021 and 2024, when border security was virtually erased by “open-door” policies, the country witnessed a record surge in fentanyl-related overdoses, with more than 70,000 deaths annually, many directly linked to fentanyl produced in clandestine labs and trafficked through now-chaotic smuggling routes.

Today, with firm enforcement and a real political will to protect national sovereignty, those numbers are finally starting to decline. And that, it seems, is what really bothers some.

The Public Sees It Clearly
Far from the progressive media bubble, the American public gets it. Recent polls show that over 60% of Americans approve of President Trump’s immigration and security policies, including his efforts to combat fentanyl. Meanwhile, the credibility of outlets like The Washington Post continues to plummet.

Now is the time to demand media accountability. If a news outlet is going to point out a problem, it should also have the integrity to acknowledge progress. But if its mission is to mislead, then the American people have the right — and the duty — to question its legitimacy.