Taking Back America: Designating Cartels as Terrorist Organizations to Restore Our Nation’s Safety

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The time has come to redefine our battle against the Mexican drug cartels; we must no longer view them merely as criminal organizations but as the terrorists they truly are. These cartels, with their relentless assaults on innocent Americans and blatant disregard for human life, embody the essence of terror. As your representative, my unwavering stance is that designating these entities as terrorist organizations is not only appropriate—it is essential for the survival and security of our nation. This action will harness the formidable tools of our national security and law enforcement agencies, enabling us to disrupt and dismantle these networks with the same vigor we apply to international terror threats.

The Department of Justice recently announced a federal indictment revealing an alliance between the Sinaloa Cartel and money launderers linked to Chinese underground banking. This collaboration involved laundering drug money through Los Angeles, highlighting the sophisticated and global nature of these criminal networks. Such partnerships amplify the reach and impact of these cartels, making them even more dangerous to our national security.

We must address the root cause of illegal immigration by waging war against the violent drug cartels that are profiting from drug smuggling and human trafficking. I would author legislation on day one that classifies all drug cartels as terrorist organizations and holds them accountable for the spiraling crime, murder, and chaos that they continue to spread through our nation.

Drawing from my experience as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, where I served as the Director of Training for the United States Army – Military Assistance Group in Saudi Arabia, I understand the complexities of coordinating with foreign security forces and implementing robust security measures. During my deployment, I managed the security cooperation needs for two ministries, the Ministry of Interior and the Presidency of State Security, focusing on training and enhancing security protocols. My direct oversight of training the Saudi Special Security Forces and Facilities Security Forces has equipped me with the expertise to tackle sophisticated threats, such as those posed by drug cartels, with precision and determination.

The next Trump Administration will take a bold approach to dealing with these cartels, involving the deployment of specialized kill teams to target and eliminate cartel leaders. Designating these cartels as terrorist organizations allows for tougher measures that block any support to these groups, enhance the penalties for associated crimes, and broaden our scope of action to effectively dismantle their networks.

This change will ensure a more robust collaboration between U.S. agencies and international partners, bolstering our operations and intelligence-sharing efforts. By declaring that the United States will not tolerate entities that terrorize our communities, we send a powerful message of our resolve to protect American soil.

While some argue that designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) would not materially advance our fight against them, the problem lies not in a lack of tools but in the will to use the ones we already have. Our current legal framework is sufficient to prosecute cartel leaders and dismantle their operations, but we need stronger resolve and a more aggressive approach.

This move is also critical as we battle the opioid epidemic, largely fueled by cartel-trafficked drugs. The crisis has become so bad in Arizona that there is a new push to put Narcan in schools to save children from overdoses. Designating cartels as terrorist organizations will sever their funding streams and cripple their operational capabilities, directly impacting the flow of drugs like fentanyl that claim thousands of American lives each year.

This battle is a critical pillar of the America First agenda to restore order and uphold the rule of law. It represents a steadfast continuation of President Trump’s legacy of robust, effective national security measures.

As your Congressman, I am committed to leading this charge in Congress, ensuring that our legislative actions mirror the gravity of the threats we face with bold, uncompromising action. My background as a former prosecutor and an Army intelligence officer has prepared me to confront these challenges head-on, bringing a disciplined and strategic approach to combatting these terrorist organizations.

Together, we will unleash the full might of U.S. law enforcement and counter-terrorism capabilities to obliterate these destructive networks. Our united front will ensure a safer, stronger America.

Stand with me, stand with the enduring spirit of President Trump’s America First vision, and let’s save our nation’s future.