Story perspectives

Trump's Glyphosate Order Sparks Health Controversy and Backlash

2/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 18, 2026, prioritizing glyphosate-based herbicides for national security and food supply.
The order grants immunity to manufacturers.
Critics, including the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), say it ignores evidence linking glyphosate to cancer and weakens public health.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the order, citing national security.
Backlash from MAHA supporters intensified as they feel misled by the administration.

History

Historical Context

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 to regulate environmental issues, including pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, raising public health concerns. President Trump's recent executive order prioritizes glyphosate, reflecting ongoing tensions between agricultural interests and health advocacy, potentially impacting pesticide regulations and public safety standards.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 18, 2026, prioritizing glyphosate-based herbicides for national security and food supply.
The order grants immunity to manufacturers.
Critics, including the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), say it ignores evidence linking glyphosate to cancer and weakens public health.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the order, citing national security.
Backlash from MAHA supporters intensified as they feel misled by the administration.

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