The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Sara Carter as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), approving her nomination in a 52–48 vote. Carter becomes the 10th person, and the first woman, to lead the office known as the nation’s “drug czar.”
President Trump nominated Carter to oversee federal drug control policy and coordinate efforts to reduce illicit drug trafficking, disrupt transnational criminal networks, and address addiction and overdose prevention nationwide. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced her nomination in October by a 12–10 party-line vote.
Carter arrives at ONDCP with years of experience covering drug trafficking, national security, and transnational crime. Before her confirmation, she served as a special advisor to President Trump within ONDCP beginning in May 2025.
Much of Carter’s professional background is rooted in investigative journalism. She spent more than two decades reporting on national security and cartel activity, including extensive on-the-ground reporting along the U.S.–Mexico border and in conflict zones overseas. Her work has focused on mapping drug trafficking routes, exposing cartel operations, and examining how narcotics networks intersect with organized crime and terrorism.
Carter has held senior reporting roles at multiple national outlets, including Fox News, Darkwire Inc., The Washington Examiner, The Washington Times, and The Blaze. Earlier in her career, she worked as a senior reporter for the Los Angeles News Group, where she received national recognition for investigative reporting on cartel violence in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. She has also reported from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and other regions tied to U.S. counterterrorism and security concerns.
“I am honored and humbled to join President Trump’s Administration as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. As ONDCP Director, I will work tirelessly to achieve a safe and healthy America, where a drug-free life is the prevailing norm. This is a turning point for our Nation. President Trump is putting the American people first. Under his leadership, we will reassert our fundamental right to live healthy lives. We will hold accountable the narco-terrorists who infringe upon this right, participating in the deliberate poisoning of tens of thousands of Americans each year. They will no longer kill our families, friends, neighbors, and even children with impunity. At the same time, I will ensure that every parent, family member, and child have the resources they need to prevent and combat addiction. I will stand with our brave law enforcement officials, and with every family who has lost a loved one to drug overdose. This is my promise to the American people,” said Director Carter after her confirmation.
Confirmed and Ready to Lead.
As Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, @SaraCarterDC is ready to lead the fight to save lives and protect communities.
America is Back.#drugczar #americaisback #usa pic.twitter.com/gmLWxrEGCK
— ONDCP (@ONDCP) January 6, 2026
As ONDCP director, Carter will be responsible for coordinating federal drug policy across law enforcement, public health, prevention, and treatment programs, as well as working with state, local, and international partners.
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)