Recent polling indicates a mixed response to President Donald Trump’s remarks during his State of the Union address, particularly regarding his tough stance on drug cartels and fentanyl. While Republican and independent voters seem to support his approach, Democrats are showing less enthusiasm for his foreign policy measures.
Trump emphasized the ongoing control of vast regions by violent drug cartels, asserting that he has labeled these groups as foreign terrorist organizations and identified illegal fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This prompted applause from his Republican supporters.
Data gathered by Maslansky & Partners, which tracked the real-time reactions of 29 Democrats, 30 independents, and 40 Republicans, suggests that Democratic voters particularly hesitated as Trump discussed military actions against cartels in Latin America, including bombing operations in the ocean off South America and the Eastern Pacific.
In contrast, the responses from Republicans and independents were notably more positive when Trump highlighted his administration’s efforts against drug traffickers and fentanyl.
Additionally, Trump mentioned the U.S. role in the recent capture of notorious drug lord El Mencho in Mexico. He explained that the U.S. set the stage for this significant operation, which resulted in El Mencho’s death during a confrontation with Mexican military forces.
On his first day as president, Trump had signed an executive order aimed at labeling certain cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” which allowed for increased military surveillance and potential prosecutions against these groups. Although the CJNG might not be as widely known as MS-13, it was included in this classification.
Post-executive order, the Attorney General informed the Department of Justice staff about a shift in strategy toward dealing with cartels, marking a transition towards a more stringent approach.
Trump has also declared an “armed conflict” against the drug cartels, including a series of attacks on vessels associated with drug trafficking. U.S. military operations have raised tensions in the region, particularly with Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro was recently arrested and charged with drug trafficking and extradited to the U.S.
Despite the increased military presence and operations, a recent incident left an American tourist trapped in Mexico. The White House spokesperson noted that the State Department receives numerous requests for advice and assistance regarding travel to Mexico.
So far, there are no confirmed reports of Americans being harmed, and Levitt reassured the public that the drug cartels would face serious consequences if they targeted U.S. citizens under Trump’s administration.
