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FIRST ON FOX – Republican state attorneys general are gearing up for a significant meeting on Friday at the Department of Justice. President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will join forces with state attorneys general to strategize on combating crime across America.
Sources indicate that a major topic of discussion will center on the fentanyl crisis, which has devastated communities nationwide.
On Thursday, Trump addressed reporters in the Oval Office, offering insights into his upcoming Justice Department speech. He referred to urgent issues plaguing urban areas, particularly the alarming rates of subway violence. “We don’t want rampant crime in our streets,” Trump emphasized. “We also don’t want innocent people pushed into subways and met with tragic consequences. Public safety in our cities and neighborhoods is paramount. Our agenda will cover immigration and various other pressing topics.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares commended Bondi’s proactive approach to law enforcement. He noted an increase in communication from the DOJ during Trump’s initial days in office, contrasting with his experience under the Biden administration. “I have received more calls in the first 30 days from the Justice Department than in my previous three years working under the previous administration,” Miyares stated to Fox News Digital.
He credited the increased coordination with the DOJ to a focus on the fentanyl epidemic, which he described as both a national security and domestic crisis. Miyares highlighted alarming statistics, explaining that addiction-related deaths in the U.S. average around 105,000 annually. In comparison, over the span of 15 years, the Vietnam War claimed just over 50,000 American lives. “It is as if two Vietnam Wars are occurring each year right here at home, with devastating consequences. Virginia is fully aware of this reality,” Miyares remarked.
Recent reports reveal fentanyl’s financial grip on the United States surged to an unprecedented $2.7 trillion peak during the Biden administration. Virginia has recorded a notable 40% decrease in addiction deaths since 2021, which Miyares attributes to their three-pronged strategy of prosecution, prevention, and treatment. He expressed optimism that this model could be implemented on a national scale, particularly with Trump’s nominee for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole, currently serving as Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
“He is going to be an exceptional leader for the DEA,” Miyares said. “His involvement in our efforts in Virginia gives him valuable perspective. I anticipate his strategies will be applied nationwide.”
Miyares praised Trump’s Inauguration Day executive order, which designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He expressed disappointment with the Biden administration’s handling of the fentanyl crisis. According to Miyares, federal agents have conveyed concerns that the current administration discouraged public awareness efforts regarding drug enforcement, indicating a perceived reluctance to acknowledge the drug crisis facing America.
“It feels as though there is an avoidance of confronting the drug issue. Many are aware that the southern border has allowed unprecedented quantities of fentanyl to infiltrate our communities, enough to potentially kill every American multiple times over. The situation is dire,” he added. “The Sinaloa Cartel stands out as one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in history, with an extensive reach that threatens lives on a grand scale.”
Miyares reiterated that Trump was the first president to formally declare cartels as terrorist organizations. He believes the Biden administration missed an opportunity to take similar action. “These criminal organizations are waging chemical warfare against everyday Americans, impacting our children, friends, and families more severely than any war we have witnessed,” Miyares stated passionately. “They operate like true terrorists.”
With Democrats now out of control in both houses of Congress, state attorneys general from the Democratic Party have ramped up their opposition to Trump’s administration across various issues, including immigration. Miyares called upon bipartisan cooperation among state attorneys general to address the fentanyl crisis, highlighting its universal impact. “This epidemic does not discriminate between political affiliations. All Americans, regardless of party, are affected,” he insisted. “We must unite to save lives because our true adversary is not another political party; it’s the cartels and those profiting off addiction.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday underscored the necessity of keeping families intact for enhancing public safety. He emphasized the pressing need for Republicans to be more visible and influential in inner-city areas traditionally dominated by Democratic leadership. “Maximizing safety for citizens requires collective effort. A Justice Department aligned with my philosophy of public safety is crucial,” he said, elaborating that without secure neighborhoods, no other initiatives can succeed. “The community has an absolute right to demand safety from their government,” Sunday added.
Looking ahead to the meeting, he described a sense of optimism. Sunday remarked that the fentanyl crisis not only threatens lives but also disrupts the economy and fractures families—elements essential for thriving communities and public safety. He lamented the heartache caused by addiction, emphasizing the need for local law enforcement to receive support beyond their immediate capabilities.
“The most tragic meetings I’ve attended involved parents mourning children lost to addiction. It’s heart-wrenching to witness someone you once knew slip away due to substance use,” Sunday shared. He framed his commitment to family as a core conservative value and expressed that this perspective shapes his approach to public safety. In volatile neighborhoods, he noted, many children lack mentorship and guidance.
He acknowledged the complexity of addressing addiction, underscoring the importance of mentorship programs to reach youth in distress. “The Trump administration’s focus on upgrading border security aligns with our fight against fentanyl, as it often arrives from Mexico within mere hours,” Sunday said.
Amidst the recent electoral shifts in Pennsylvania, including increased Republican representation, Sunday emphasized his focus on areas plagued by drug trafficking and quality-of-life issues. He spoke from Philadelphia ahead of the mayor’s budget address, asserting that a Republican attorney general can influence change in the city. “I am committed to Philadelphia, and my resources will remain accessible to all citizens, ensuring they receive the attention and support they deserve,” he declared. “One-party dominance in cities can create challenges without diverse perspectives, leaving residents unaccounted for.”
Sunday expressed his belief in maintaining accountability while promoting redemption efforts. Having served as a district attorney in York County, he highlighted his collaborative work with community leaders affected by crime. He acknowledged that many citizens who have never interacted with a Republican attorney general could benefit from bridging political divides through dialogue.
As the meeting at the DOJ approaches, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey praised the Trump administration’s aggressive stance toward combating fentanyl production, emphasizing the need to hold China accountable for supplying drug cartels with the essential components of fentanyl.
“To effectively combat the fentanyl crisis, we must target its source, notably addressing China’s complicity in arming Mexican cartels and terrorist organizations with precursors. The tragic toll on our communities is unsustainable,” Bailey stated.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch echoed similar sentiments, commending Trump for implementing tariffs to combat the fentanyl epidemic while prioritizing American safety. “In Mississippi, we are ready to partner with the Trump administration in raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl through our One Pill Can Kill Campaign and establishing law enforcement networks to tackle this deadly drug and its traffickers,” she asserted.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti reaffirmed that fentanyl’s toll is staggering, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive response efforts to mitigate the ongoing crisis. He expressed gratitude for Trump and Bondi’s proactive steps aimed at preserving lives amid this epidemic.
