The Washington Post is facing intense criticism online, as well as from the White House, over its reporting on what it describes as a “mysterious” decline in fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border.
Fentanyl, a potent and often deadly opioid, is frequently trafficked into the United States by various criminal organizations across both the southern and northern borders.
According to the CDC, fentanyl-related deaths in the country reached a staggering 48,422 in 2024, underscoring the severity of the ongoing crisis.
President Trump, during his campaign, promised decisive action against fentanyl traffickers by enhancing border security and tackling illegal immigration head-on.
Since he took office, Trump has deployed troops to the southern border, designated certain cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” and imposed sanctions on cartel leaders.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) reported that U.S. law enforcement’s seizures of fentanyl—considered a critical indicator of overall smuggling operations—have plummeted by 50% since the November 2024 election.
This significant drop indicates a broader decrease in fentanyl smuggling, according to CIS.
In contrast, the Washington Post’s report highlights a nearly 30 percent decline in fentanyl seizures at the southern border compared to the same period last year.
The article raises questions about the reasons behind this decline, describing it as a “new and puzzling reality” for U.S. officials at the Mexican border.
The Post suggests potential factors for the decrease, including cartels exploring alternative smuggling routes, internal conflicts within the cartels, shortages of fentanyl ingredients, or a possible reduction in demand among users.
However, the Washington Post also speculated that budget cuts introduced by the Trump administration could negatively impact programs aimed at providing overdose antidotes and addiction treatments.
This framing prompted diverse reactions from conservative commentators and lawmakers, who mocked the Post for its portrayal of the situation.
Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) dismissed the notion of a mystery, stating, “The Washington Post is reporting a ‘mysterious drop’ in fentanyl seizures at the southern border. Mystery solved! The Trump effect is working.”
Prominent conservative influencer Charlie Kirk raised eyebrows by questioning the Post’s journalistic credibility: “Is the Post simply lying, or are their reporters as dumb as the people they’re writing propaganda for?”
In a direct response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took to its official X account to clarify the situation, stating, “It’s no mystery. On day one, [President] Trump closed our borders to drug traffickers.”
DHS further claimed that from March 2024 to March 2025, fentanyl trafficking at the southern border had dropped dramatically by 54%.
DHS emphasized, “The world has heard the message loud and clear.”
White House officials have also chimed in on the issue, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeling the Washington Post’s coverage as “pathetic.”
Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the media’s inability to accept the impact of Trump’s border security policies, asserting that these policies have contributed to a notable decrease in the fentanyl influx.
Abigail Jackson, another spokesperson for the White House, described the decline in fentanyl seizures as a non-mystery for anyone who understands the current political landscape, saying it is only a mystery to those suffering from “Trump-Derangement Syndrome.”
She reinforced the idea that, compared to the prior administration’s policies, Trump’s measures have significantly reduced fentanyl trafficking, claiming, “Americans are safer because of it.”
As of now, the Washington Post has not responded to requests for further comment on this fierce back-and-forth.
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