Trump Administration’s Bold Move Against Gangs and Cartels
In a decisive action reflecting a growing concern over the influence of transnational gangs and cartels, the Trump administration has officially designated several notorious organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). This includes notorious groups like Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), and the Sinaloa Cartel among others.
Public Announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio
In a public notice published in the Federal Register, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that there is “a sufficient factual basis” to justify the designation of eight gangs and cartels under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The list of designated organizations includes:
- Tren de Aragua
- Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
- Sinaloa Cartel
- New Generation Cartel of Jalisco
- United Cartels
- Northeast Cartel
- Gulf Cartel
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM)
Many of these groups operate under various aliases, complicating efforts to monitor and curb their activities.
An Executive Order to Strengthen National Security
This significant designation follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office. This order prioritized engaging the State Department and other relevant agencies to classify cartels and criminal organizations as FTOs.
Among the groups highlighted in this order are Tren de Aragua, commonly referred to as ‘TdA,’ and MS-13, both of which have increasingly contributed to the rise of violence and crime across the United States.
Upon taking office, Trump tasked Rubio, along with several high-ranking officials, including the secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security, the U.S. Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence, to collaborate on policy recommendations regarding the FTO designations.
Legal Implications of FTO Designations
The classification of these organizations as foreign terrorist entities significantly enhances the federal government’s capacity to combat their operations within U.S. borders. It enables various government entities, such as the Department of the Treasury, to employ a wide range of strategies against these groups, including freezing assets and restricting funding sources.
The executive order articulates that these criminal organizations “present an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.” This declaration invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), officializing a national emergency to effectively address the challenges posed by these groups.
Protecting the American People
The executive order underscores a commitment to “ensure the total elimination of these organizations’ presence in the United States,” aiming to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and security. The order explicitly acknowledges the extraterritorial command-and-control structures that these organizations maintain, which pose direct threats to American safety.
Expert Opinions on the Designation
Joseph Humire, the executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society, expressed strong support for the administration’s actions. In a report outlining strategies to dismantle TdA in 2024, Humire described the significance of the FTO designation as elevating these criminal organizations “to the highest level” of national security concern. This move effectively allows for targeting any funding sources and entities that facilitate the operations of these groups.
Humire conveyed the gravity of the situation: “Trump just put all of them on notice,” indicating that the message was clear: “We know you’re here; we know you’re up to no good, and we’re going to come after you.”
A Comprehensive Approach to Crime Reduction
As the Trump administration continues to strengthen its stance on organized crime, the implications of these designations reach beyond simply holding gangs accountable. They reflect a broader strategy to mitigate the violence and instability that these organizations contribute to various communities across the U.S.
Designating gangs and cartels as FTOs serves as a cornerstone of Trump’s national security and domestic policy efforts. By increasing penalties for their actions and limiting their operations, the administration aims to curtail the far-reaching impacts these organizations have on American society.
Conclusion
Through these decisive actions, the Trump administration is making it clear that it views the fight against transnational crime and terrorism as integral to national security. As law enforcement agencies gear up to address these threats, the outcome of this policy will likely shape the future of crime-fighting strategies in the United States.
Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
