Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr has expressed strong support for President Donald Trump’s recent executive actions, particularly the designation of drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Speaking in an interview with Fox News The Story with Martha McCallum Tuesday, Barr highlighted the importance of Trump’s decisive actions in tackling the long-standing issues of drug trafficking and border security.
“I’m glad he’s acting decisively. In his first term, he told me that many people just kicked the can down the road, but he was elected to tackle problems head-on,” Barr stated. He emphasized that designating cartels as terrorist organizations is a crucial step in imposing further sanctions and taking a more aggressive stance against their operations.
READ: Jonathan Turley Says Biden DOJ’s Treatment Of J6 Rioters ‘Made The Case’ For Trump Pardoning Them
Barr stressed that the real challenge is not just in the designation of cartels but in how they will be treated going forward. “We need to start treating them like we would a group like ISIS,” Barr said, indicating that more direct and forceful action may be necessary in the future.
President Trump has prioritized border security measures, including reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico‘ policy, building additional border barriers, and allocating more resources to border enforcement. Barr echoed the need for these measures, stating that controlling the border is the first step in dismantling cartel operations, which now extend beyond drug trafficking into human smuggling and other criminal enterprises.
READ: Trump, Vance Roll Their Eyes As Left-Wing Pastor Lectures Them On Trans People, Illegal Immigrants
“Mexico and China are the primary sources of the deadly drugs entering the U.S.,” Barr noted. “We need to push Mexico to work with us, and if they don’t, they will face consequences, including tariffs.” Trump has proposed imposing a 25% tariff on Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on China to combat the drug trade.
When asked about the possibility of U.S. Special Forces operations in Mexico, Barr stated, “I think eventually the Mexicans will have to agree to work with us. Their government is deeply infiltrated by cartels, and they need our help to combat this threat effectively.”
Barr believes that with the economic leverage of tariffs and diplomatic pressure, the Mexican government will have no choice but to cooperate. He stressed that the U.S. cannot continue to allow cartel operations to threaten national security.
READ: President Trump Takes Bold Steps On Day One: “Promises Made, Promises Kept”
On the topic of birthright citizenship, Barr supported Trump’s push to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to end automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. “It’s ridiculous to have birthright citizenship in today’s context,” Barr argued, citing legal ambiguities in the amendment’s language.
Barr acknowledged that changing this long-standing interpretation would face significant legal challenges but emphasized that it is a debate worth having. “If it can’t be done through an executive order, we should pursue legislative action and, if necessary, a constitutional amendment.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.