A political firestorm erupted after Attorney General Pam Bondi shared, and then swiftly deleted, a tweet intended to bolster claims of success in the fight against the fentanyl crisis. The post, meant to highlight the Trump administration’s efforts, inadvertently showcased data suggesting a decline in overdose deaths during a subsequent administration.
Bondi had publicly championed the administration’s aggressive border enforcement and prosecution of drug traffickers, asserting these actions were directly responsible for saving American lives. She emphasized the seizure of millions of fentanyl doses and the relentless pursuit of cartel leaders, framing it as a decisive victory in a long-fought battle.
The core of the controversy lay in a chart sourced from the National Institutes of Health. It depicted a noticeable drop in national overdose deaths – from approximately 32.5 to 25 per 100,000 people – between October 2023 and October 2024. This decline was observed across all regions of the country.
The timing of the data proved particularly damaging. The chart ended in October 2024, effectively attributing the positive trend to the period following a change in leadership. Opponents were quick to seize on this, framing Bondi’s post as an unintentional acknowledgment of progress made under a different administration.
Criticism came swiftly from political opponents, including Representative Ted Lieu, who publicly mocked the situation. He highlighted the irony of Bondi attempting to praise a previous administration while simultaneously showcasing data that appeared to contradict her narrative.
This incident adds to existing scrutiny surrounding Bondi’s performance. She already faces criticism from supporters of the previous administration regarding the handling of sensitive documents related to a high-profile sex trafficking case, with accusations of delayed transparency despite legal mandates.
Further complicating matters, Bondi’s office has also been questioned regarding its response to allegations of fraud originating in Minnesota, a case that has reportedly remained unresolved for over a decade. These issues cast a shadow over her current efforts.
Despite the controversy, the previous administration remains intensely focused on combating the flow of illicit drugs. Recent actions include a significant executive order designating fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” granting broader authority to law enforcement and the military to target drug cartels.
The administration has also escalated its rhetoric against international actors allegedly complicit in the drug trade, specifically targeting leaders accused of enabling the trafficking of fentanyl across the border. This aggressive stance signals a continued commitment to disrupting the supply chain and holding those responsible accountable.
