Sara Carter, a veteran contributor to Fox News since 2017, has been appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). This appointment makes her the nation’s latest “drug czar” and adds to the increasing list of Fox News figures joining the administration.
Trump announced Carter’s appointment on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing her journalism experience in covering border issues and drug trafficking, which are integral to Trump’s policy agenda. Reports indicate that Carter has been recognized with several journalism awards for her work on Mexican drug cartels. The 44-year-old investigative journalist will transition from her media role to head the federal agency tasked with coordinating the nation’s drug policies.
“From Afghanistan to our Border, Sarah’s relentless pursuit of Justice, especially in tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, has exposed terrorists, drug lords, and sex traffickers,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “As our next Drug Czar, Sara will lead the charge to protect our Nation, and save our children from the scourge of drugs.”
Following the announcement, Fox News confirmed that Carter is no longer affiliated with the network. She has not yet issued a public statement about her nomination, which requires Senate confirmation.
If the Senate confirms her, Carter will succeed Dr. Rahul Gupta as the director of ONDCP and will be the first woman to hold the position of drug czar. The office she will lead coordinates drug policy across 19 federal agencies and manages an approximately $48.4 billion budget.
Some experts have questioned Carter’s appointment due to her lack of direct experience in drug policy, public health, or law enforcement. Before her nomination, she had not served in government. However, her supporters cite her extensive reporting on border issues and drug trafficking as valuable experience for this role.
Carter’s appointment is consistent with the president’s pattern of hiring media personalities from Fox News for his administration. Carter becomes the 22nd Fox News personality or contributor to join Trump’s team during his second term.
Some have characterized the association between the Trump administration and Fox News personalities as a “revolving door,” with many hosts, contributors, and commentators transitioning from the network into government roles.
Among the most prominent Fox News figures now serving in the administration is Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense. Other notable appointments include Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the FBI under Kash Patel.
Several Fox personalities, including Monica Crowley and Tammy Bruce, serve as spokespeople across different departments. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, was previously a Fox News commentator during Trump’s first term.
Other former Fox News affiliates now in the administration include Mike Waltz, Mike Huckabee, and Sebastian Gorka, reflecting the president’s preference for individuals with media experience and a strong public presence.
The significant Fox News representation in the administration highlights Trump’s complex relationship with the network. While he has occasionally criticized Fox News publicly, he has consistently recruited from its ranks to fill key positions in his government.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy, which Carter will oversee, was established in 1988 and has traditionally focused on coordinating the federal government’s response to substance misuse and drug trafficking. Recently, the agency has emphasized addressing the opioid crisis, including the proliferation of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The ONDCP plays a central role in developing and implementing the National Drug Control Strategy. It coordinates anti-drug efforts through public health and safety measures while providing funding to law enforcement and community-based coalitions. The agency also manages the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program and the Drug-Free Communities Program, which allocate hundreds of millions of dollars to help communities combat drug issues.
Carter’s journalism has often highlighted border security concerns, including the trafficking of illicit drugs across the southern border. Trump has frequently linked border security issues with the nation’s drug problems, asserting that stronger border enforcement is necessary to combat drug trafficking and addiction.
As drug czar, Carter would be responsible for developing policies that balance law enforcement approaches with public health interventions. The ONDCP collaborates with various stakeholders, including federal agencies, state and local governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations to implement comprehensive drug control strategies.
