The drug's high toxicity and increasing availability are 'attractive' to potential adversaries, and internal DHS memo says.
The Department of Homeland Security is considering classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, or WMD, according to an internal memo attained by military news outlet Task & Purpose.
The drug's high toxicity and increasing availability are"attractive" to potential adversaries"seeking nonconventional materials for a chemical attack," James McDonnell, an assistant secretary at DHS, wrote in the memo. However, the memo leaves out some key details, according to Dr. Michael Kuhlman, chief scientist specializing in WMD issues at Battelle, a science and technology nonprofit organization.
The official declined to offer further comment on the specifics of those discussions. The Department of Justice also declined to comment. When CNBC twice called to confirm if the Department of Defense proposed designating fentanyl as a WMD, a person who answered the phone disconnected the line both times.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump widening leadership purge at Homeland Security over immigration policy: sourceThe department's acting No. 2 official, Claire Grady, could leave as soon as Tuesday afternoon, the source said. Administration officials were also trying to push out the department's General Counsel John Mitnick, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Francis Cissna, said the
Read more »
Trump Homeland Security shakeup raising concernsPresident Trump is firing agency officials at the Department of Homeland Security one-by-one as he tries to find someone to blame for the skyrocketing number of migrants arriving at the Southern border. Stephanie Ruhle is joined by MSNBC Legal Analyst Maya Wiley, Third Way Senior Vice President Matt Bennett, MSNBC Political Analyst Elise Jordan, and Senior White House Correspondent for The Hill Amie Parnes to discuss how DHS is supposed to function when the staff is continuously being shaken up.
Read more »
Homeland Security's acting deputy secretary offered resignation to Trump: NielsenU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said on Tuesday that Claire Grady, the acting deputy secretary of the department, had offered her resignation to President Donald Trump, potentially further destabilizing the agency tasked with managing immigration and the country's borders. The
Read more »
Acting No. 2 at Homeland Security latest to leave departmentThe acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security is leaving the department, the latest top-ranking DHS official to exit.
Read more »
Department of Homeland Security loses another top official as acting deputy secretary Claire Grady resignsClaire Grady’s resignation comes amid a Trump administration shakeup in recent days which has seen several top officials ousted from their roles.
Read more »
Why Was The Homeland Security Department Created?The Department of Homeland Security was created after the 9/11 attacks to stop terrorists. Today, the focus is to stop asylum seekers.
Read more »
Homeland Security secretary: The worst job in WashingtonPOSITION OPEN: Pliable leader sought for large, dysfunctional federal department. Must manage 240,000 unhappy employees in an environment of high-decibel chaos. Qualified candidates need not apply.
Read more »
Senate Republicans push White House to stop purge at Homeland SecuritySome GOP senators remain concerned that Trump’s anger will lead to more firings of DHS officials, leaving the department with key leadership posts unfilled.
Read more »
Homeland Security shakeup: What's nextA number of senior Department of Homeland Security officials have left their posts in recent days amid an apparent shakeup. What happens next?
Read more »