[Fentanyl] Trump calls for strengthened law enforcement to eliminate the drug | Requests China to impose the death penalty on suppliers
//Summary - Level-B2//
Former President Donald Trump spoke about the deadly threat of fentanyl, calling it “100 times stronger” than earlier drugs and the top killer of Americans aged 15–48. He proposed more vigorous law enforcement, minimum 10-year prison sentences for traffickers, and urged China to impose the death penalty on fentanyl suppliers. Trump blamed open borders and drug cartels, especially from Mexico and China, and celebrated new legislation—the Halt Fentanyl Act—classifying fentanyl as a Schedule I drug. Families who lost loved ones shared emotional stories, supporting Trump’s efforts to stop the crisis and protect future generations.
1)
00:00
We will do everything possible. Fentinol is 100 times more potent than the original version. I imposed a 20% tariff on China because of fentanyl, which I call a penalty. It's a penalty because China supplies much of the fentanyl. Some people would say it all.
2)
00:19
The death penalty will be imposed on Chinese people who manufacture fentanyl and send it to our country. I believe that will happen soon. The happiest day of my life was when Drew was born. He always called me his hero until the day he died. We did everything right, but one pill — one mistake, caused by peer pressure — took his life.
3)
00:38
Fentanyl has become the number one killer of Americans aged 15 to 48. For four years, we felt ignored, but you've changed that, and that's why we voted for you. Thank you very much. With this bill, we are officially and permanently classifying all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 narcotics, which is a very significant development.
4)
01:02
It doesn't sound like much. But it is, as they will tell you. This means that anyone caught trafficking these illicit substances will face a minimum prison sentence of 10 years. We'll get the drug dealers, pushers and peddlers off our streets, and we won't rest until we've ended the drug overdose epidemic.
5)
01:28
It's been getting a little better, but it's still horrible. It isn't enjoyable. Six months ago, when we came into office, we inherited the worst drug crisis in American history by far. They did nothing. For four long years, Joe Biden surrendered our borders to the most evil and vicious traffickers and networks on the planet, allowing foreign drug cartels to establish a significant presence.
6)
01:56
On American soil, we were doing nothing. This open borders nightmare has flooded our country with fentanyl and people who shouldn't be here — some of the worst people on earth — and illegal drugs have decimated American communities, leaving us with the most significant law enforcement challenge in our country's history. Hopefully, it will always remain the largest.
7)
02:19
I can't imagine anything worse. They allowed millions of criminals into our country: 11,888 murderers, 50% of whom had killed more than one person. On day one of the Trump administration, we declared all-out war on dealers, smugglers, traffickers and cartels.
8)
02:42
Moments after taking office, I deployed the US military to our border and unleashed the patriots of ICE and Border Patrol to defend our country from this invasion. This was an invasion. It wasn't just people coming in. It was an invasion of our country, allowed to happen by people who either didn't care or were just stupid.
9)
03:07
Stupid people. I also designated the Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations. Within a few short weeks, believe it or not, we achieved the most secure border in US history, and now we've even surpassed that. Last month, we recorded the lowest number of illegal border crossings ever.
10)
03:39
In June, the number was zero. Now, I don't believe that myself, but we're going to take it. How can you go from hundreds of thousands to zero? But that's what they say. These people are very liberal. These are people who are very liberal and do the recording. So I think we're going to have to accept it.
11)
03:56
But the number was zero in June. It couldn't get much better than that. Right. On day one, I signed executive orders to create new homeland security task forces, marshalling the full power of federal law enforcement to eradicate transnational criminal networks and traffickers from our soil. We wanted them out.
12)
04:18
Two weeks ago, we secured the necessary resources to achieve our mission when I signed the big, beautiful bill into law. I want to thank you all. I want to thank you. Thank you all. You did a great job. I have also instructed the Department of Justice to seek the maximum sentences for fentanyl traffickers.
13)
04:43
We're going to do the maximum. Since my inauguration, the DOJ has seized over 4,500 pounds of fentanyl, setting a new record. This includes the enormous Sinaloa cartel bust in May, one of the toughest cartels out there.
It's the largest fentanyl bust in United States history. And now, with the imminent signing of the Halt Fentanyl Act, we are delivering yet another blow to the ruthless drug smugglers, criminals, and cartels who exert tremendous influence over Mexico.
14)
05:19
I'm trying to be nice about it, but if you want to be nasty, then so be it. They have a firm grip on Mexico, and we need to take action. We can't let that happen. The Mexican authorities are petrified. They're afraid to go to work. They're scared to go to work because the cartels have a tremendous grip on Mexico, its politicians and the people who get elected.
15)
05:46
For years, the criminals who manufacture illicit fentanyl have sought to circumvent legal restrictions by making minor variations to the chemical compound. In the process, they have developed even more toxic versions of the drug. One common variant, carfentanil, is becoming increasingly prevalent.
16)
06:08
It's 100 times more potent than the original fentanyl. Can you imagine? Just look at what you have to suffer with the original! This is 100 times more potent, and it's becoming stronger and more dangerous. As you know, I have a perfect relationship with President Xi of China, but I imposed a 20% tariff on China because of fentanyl. I call it a penalty.
17)
06:41
It's a penalty because China produces much of the fentanyl. Some would even say they deliver it to Mexico and into our own country. They pay billions of dollars in damages for what they've done, and we have a 20% tariff on them.
I think we're going to work it out so that China will end up giving the death penalty to those who create fentanyl and send it into our country, whether through other countries or directly.
18)
07:13
We would have had that deal a long time ago. I shook hands with them, but then there was a rigged election, and somebody else came in who didn't know anything about the deal involving the death penalty. The death penalty will be imposed on Chinese people who manufacture fentanyl and send it into our country.
19)
07:33
I believe that will happen soon. But, as of today, all fentanyl-related substances will be banned forever, and those who traffic these deadly poisons will face lengthy prison sentences. Joining us today are just a few of the millions of families affected by this epidemic, including Greg Swan from Michigan, whose beautiful son Drew was lost to this tragedy.
20)
07:58
Drew became addicted to opioids after being prescribed painkillers for a sports injury. So many people get injured, and this happens. He fought through it and got clean.
Then one day, he took a pill laced with fentanyl. He took it casually. He took a chance, thinking he'd be okay, but it didn't work out, and he tragically lost his life.
21)
08:23
Greg, I'd like you to come forward. If you could say a few words about your wonderful son, that would be great. Thank you, Mr President. It's the honour of my life. I will be brief. It's the honour of my life to be here. The happiest day of my life was when Drew was born, and he always called me his hero until the day he died.
22)
08:48
His passing ruined my life, and I'm sure it's the same for every parent I meet here and in the audience. Some of my friends have lost children, too, and it's devastating.
There's despair and hopelessness, but we've found some peace in advocating for change. We want to visit every school in America — there are 26,727 of them — and when they hear that we've lost someone to fentanyl, they're unequivocally ready to fight back.
I would like to thank you, Mr President, for stopping border crossings. Full stop. Mic drop. I'll step back, but what you did was amazing. We were being gaslit, and you came and lit a fire under that story. We're much better off now.
23)
09:51
Thank you so much! That's tough stuff. We're also grateful to be joined by Anne, a California native and a fentanyl victim who lost her beautiful eldest son, Weston, to the drug exactly one year ago today, when he was just 15 years old. Anne delivered a moving tribute to Weston at the Republican National Convention.
24)
10:23
Those who saw it have not forgotten it. Ann, would you like to come up and say a few words about your wonderful son? Thank you. Please. Thank you. Thank you so much. It's an honour. Good afternoon, Mr President and distinguished guests. My name is Anne Tanner. Oh, come here! I'm here to help. Thank you.
25)
10:53
I'm an angel, Kent. Exactly one year ago today, on July 16, I stood before America at the RNC and told the story of my son, Weston. I spoke about what a beautiful and loving person he was, and how he had a wonderful life. We did everything right, but one pill, one mistake, one moment of pure pressure, given by a friend, took his life.
26)
11:19
Over the past four years, fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 15 to 48. Children under 14 are the fastest-growing demographic.
For four years, we felt ignored by President Trump. But you've changed that, and we're very grateful. You have closed the borders, sanctioned cartels, imposed tariffs and closed shipping loopholes.
27)
11:46
Most people are unaware of that. That was a big one. You've dealt with the countries from which it's coming. You mobilised the Treasury, the Justice Department, Homeland Security, lawmakers and legislators.
Today, the bipartisan and overwhelmingly supported Halt Fentanyl Act is being signed, making fentanyl a Schedule I drug and strengthening the criminalisation and prosecution of people who deal it.
28)
12:19
It is a lifeline for families across America, helping to keep them safe and secure. That's all you ever want: to keep America safe. Thank you so much. Thank you for keeping America and our children safe. This is what we voted for, Mr President. God bless all the families here with us today, and all of you who are with us.
29)
12:44
God bless America. Thank you so much. You can have that. Would you like it? I would love to give it to you. It's just wild that we even have to be doing this. It's so sad that we have to stand here year after year doing the same thing over and over. It's terrible.
30)
13:20
Everyone knows someone who has been affected by the incredible crisis we've all been watching unfold. People all over the world are watching, and other countries face the same problem.
However, I don't think many take it more seriously than we do. They come here and rip us off. The cartels and all the others rip us off so badly because we're a prosperous country, and that's where the money is.
31)
13:47
Such is life. People ask, 'Why is it so expensive?' Because we have money. We're richer than other countries. So more people come here. They take our money as easily as taking candy from a baby. Today, on behalf of all Americans who have lost a loved one to opioids, we renew our vow to free America from this terrible scourge.
32)
14:07
I hope you'll do a fantastic job. You have no idea how important your job is. You have one of the most essential jobs in government. Nothing is more important than what you're doing.
I wish you good luck, and know that we'll be there to support you every step of the way. Once again, I would like to thank Congress for passing this critical bill and for all your hard work over the last two weeks.
33)
14:34
What a job you've all done! The congressmen and women in the Senate have been unbelievable. I'd now like to invite you to stand up here while I sign the bill. Then we'll get you back to your desks so you can continue passing bills and making America great again. OK, thank you very much.
34)
14:53
It's great to have you here. All right. I'm doing well, Chuck. I feel very protected in here, Jim. Very protected. We want to make sure it's signed. Are the people behind it real, and is this not an auto pen? That's for sure. That's great. Thank you very much. We'll pass them out, OK, and start distributing them.
35)
16:00
out. We'll also give some to the people at the back. OK, pass them round. Thank you very much, everyone. It's an absolute honour and one of the most important things we'll ever sign, I suspect. Thank you all for the tremendous support.
[Fentanyl] Trump calls for strengthened law enforcement to eliminate the drug | Requests China to impose the death penalty on suppliers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaDx4xayi2M
