A classified Justice Department brief authorizing strikes on drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Pacific describes fentanyl as a potential chemical weapons threat, according to people familiar with the memo

The classified Justice Department brief highlights the Trump administration's aggressive stance on drug smuggling, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. By categorizing fentanyl as a potential chemical weapons threat, the administration seeks to bolster its legal rationale for military intervention. This approach aligns with broader political maneuvers, such as the ongoing legal battles over congressional redistricting in California, where the Justice Department is also involved. These developments reflect a pattern of using legal frameworks to address perceived threats, whether from drug trafficking or electoral challenges, indicating a complex interplay between law enforcement and political strategy.