Washington Post’s ‘pathetic’ reporting on fentanyl decline mocked by White House

The Washington Post has come under fire from both online critics and the White House for their recent report on a decline in fentanyl seizures at the southern border. The liberal-leaning news outlet described the drop in fentanyl seizures as “mysterious” and raised questions about the reasons behind this decline.

Fentanyl, a potent and dangerous drug, has been a major contributor to the opioid epidemic in the United States. In 2024 alone, it was linked to the deaths of over 48,000 people in the country. President Donald Trump made combating the flow of fentanyl across the border a key focus of his administration, implementing measures such as increased border security and targeting cartels and criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.

Since the November election, the Center for Immigration Studies has reported a significant decrease in law enforcement seizures of fentanyl at the southern border, indicating a larger decline in total fentanyl smuggling. The Washington Post highlighted this decline, attributing it to factors such as cartel strategies, internal conflicts, ingredient shortages, and possibly a decrease in demand for the drug.

Conservatives, including Rep. Tom Tiffany and Charlie Kirk, mocked The Washington Post’s report, attributing the drop in fentanyl seizures to the impact of President Trump’s policies. The Department of Homeland Security also weighed in, stating that fentanyl trafficking at the southern border had fallen by 54% from March 2024 to March 2025.

White House officials, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt and communications director Steven Cheung, criticized The Washington Post for their coverage, calling it “pathetic” and highlighting the role of President Trump’s border policies in reducing fentanyl trafficking. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson emphasized that the decrease in fentanyl seizures was not a mystery, but a direct result of President Trump’s actions to secure the border and combat illegal drug trafficking.

The Washington Post did not respond to requests for comment on the criticism from the White House and online commentators. The debate over the decline in fentanyl seizures continues, with differing perspectives on the reasons behind this trend and the effectiveness of border security measures in addressing drug trafficking.