Attorney General Alan Wilson defends Trump’s actions against Cartel drug boats

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 16-state coalition in support of President Donald Trump’s decisive actions to combat the violent drug cartels flooding the United States with deadly narcotics. 

“In every corner of America, families are being torn apart by the fentanyl crisis,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Drug cartels are waging chemical warfare on our people and South Carolina stands with President Trump in his mission to defend our borders and our communities. We can no longer allow partisan hesitation or political games to get in the way of saving American lives.”

The Republican coalition of attorneys general argues that the President is acting squarely within his Constitutional authority as Commander in Chief to protect the United States from what they describe as a “foreign invasion” of illegal drugs. They are also urging Congress to take meaningful action to stop the crisis that is devastating families, endangering law enforcement, and crippling public health systems nationwide.

In a letter sent to President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the attorneys general note that in FY 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized nearly 22,000 lbs. of cartel-smuggled fentanyl crossing into the U.S., enough to kill the entire American population fourteen times over. In fact, the number of Americans who have died from fentanyl is now comparable to the total U.S. casualties in World War II. 

Drug trafficking remains rampant in gang activity, human trafficking, and organized retail crimes, and it has significantly increased the workload for law enforcement across the nation. This influx of illegal drugs has also escalated the physical and mental health crisis, including addiction, overdose, and the spread of infectious diseases. The attorneys general offer their continued support to the President in his efforts to protect our country and our states.

Attorney General Wilson is joined in the 16-state coalition by the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. 

You can read the letter here.