Lara Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan Discuss the Navy’s Expanding Role in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking

Top Points

• Phelan told Lara Trump that the Navy’s counter-narcotics mission is part of its responsibility to defend the homeland: He said the military must confront threats that endanger American communities, including drug trafficking networks operating across international waters.

• Phelan explained that the Navy disrupts trafficking by targeting maritime routes used by cartels: He said naval forces work with the Coast Guard and international partners to track, intercept and seize narcotics long before they reach U.S. shores.

• Phelan argued that stopping drugs at sea is one of the most effective ways to protect Americans: He said every shipment seized by the Navy prevents dangerous substances from entering neighborhoods and weakening public safety.

Full Report:

On a recent episode of My View with Lara Trump, host Lara Trump interviewed Secretary of the Navy John Phelan about the United States Navy’s growing involvement in counter-narcotics operations. Phelan outlined how the Navy is positioning itself at the center of efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks that pose a direct threat to American communities.

Phelan Says the Navy’s Mission Includes Defending the Homeland

During the conversation, Phelan emphasized that the Navy’s contribution to anti-drug operations is rooted in its core mission. He said that the United States military is responsible for defending the homeland, and that combating international drug trafficking networks is a critical component of that responsibility.

Phelan explained that the Navy is uniquely positioned to interdict drug shipments before they reach American shores. With advanced surveillance capabilities, a global presence and the ability to deploy rapidly, the Navy plays a central role in detecting and disrupting maritime smuggling routes used by cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

Naval Operations Target Routes Used by Cartels and Smuggling Rings

Phelan told Trump that much of the illegal narcotics entering the United States travels through complex international supply chains. Many of these shipments move across oceans long before they ever reach the U.S. border. Because of this, the Navy’s forward presence is often the first and most effective barrier against large-scale trafficking.

He explained that naval assets work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, Joint Interagency Task Forces and allied nations to monitor hotspots, intercept suspicious vessels and seize drug shipments before they enter the Western Hemisphere. These operations, he said, weaken cartels by reducing their profits and disrupting their logistics.

Lara Trump Highlights the Domestic Impact of Naval Interdiction

Trump noted that drug trafficking is not only a national security issue but also a deeply personal one for American families affected by addiction and drug-related crime. She argued that stopping narcotics before they enter the country can save lives and reduce the burden on law enforcement at home.

Phelan agreed, saying that every shipment stopped at sea is one that never reaches American neighborhoods. He emphasized that maritime interdiction is one of the most effective tools in slowing the flow of deadly substances such as fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Phelan Frames Anti-Drug Operations as a National Imperative

According to Phelan, the Navy’s work reflects a broader strategic commitment by the United States to defend the homeland not only from foreign militaries but also from criminal threats that destabilize communities and undermine national security.

He told Trump that the Navy will continue strengthening its counter-narcotics mission, expanding partnerships with other agencies and enhancing capabilities to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated trafficking operations.

A Coordinated Strategy for the Future

Phelan concluded the interview by reaffirming the Navy’s dedication to protecting Americans at home and abroad. He said the fight against drug trafficking requires teamwork, persistence and coordinated strategy, and that the Navy remains fully engaged in carrying out its part of that mission.

Trump praised the Navy’s efforts and emphasized the importance of public awareness about the military’s role in combating narcotics before they reach American communities.

References

• My View with Lara Trump. Episode discussing the United States Navy’s role in counter-narcotics operations. Lara Trump, Rumble.

• Phelan, John. Interview with Lara Trump addressing naval interdiction strategies and the Navy’s duty to defend the homeland. My View with Lara Trump.

• United States Navy. Statements referenced by Secretary Phelan regarding counter-narcotics operations and maritime security responsibilities.