Trump Moves to Expand Supply of Widely Used Pesticide Glyphosate, Drawing Mixed Reactions
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to promote domestic production of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide found in products like Roundup, citing national security and agricultural needs. The order aims to ensure adequate supplies of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus, providing legal immunity to domestic producers. The initiative has received mixed reactions, with supporters emphasizing its importance for farming and critics, including health advocates and some Republicans, raising concerns about public health risks and environmental impacts.
Headline Roundup • February 21st, 2026
Trump Moves to Expand Supply of Widely Used Pesticide Glyphosate, Drawing Mixed Reactions
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Donald Trump used his executive powers to promote domestic production of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide found in products such as Roundup. His administration said the move is intended to strengthen supply chains for agricultural chemicals.
*The Details: *Trump's executive order, issued Wednesday, drew criticism from supporters of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, a health‑focused effort spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and aligned with Trump's 2024 presidential campaign messaging.
The order directs federal agencies to ensure adequate supplies of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. Media outlets across the political spectrum reported that MAHA activists are pushing back against the move, saying it conflicts with their push to restrict chemicals they argue pose risks to public health. Other advocates contend the order prioritizes an essential tool for American farmers that they say has "clear science behind its safety and benefits."
*Executive Order: *Issued on Feb. 18, the order ensures "an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides." It also provides immunity to domestic producers, meaning companies that follow the order are shielded from certain legal liability.
Trump said in the order that the herbicide is vital to both national defense and agriculture. "I accordingly find that, consistent with the Department of the Interior's designation, elemental phosphorus is a scarce material that is critical to national defense and security."
He also warned that "there is only a single domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, and this producer does not meet our annual needs for those inputs."
*For Context: *Glyphosate, registered as a pesticide in the United States since 1974, is a widely used herbicide that controls broadleaf weeds and grasses, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Products such as Roundup sold in retail stores contain glyphosate for weed control in both agricultural and nonagricultural settings. The EPA says glyphosate poses no risks of concern to human health when used according to its current label. It remains one of the most commonly used herbicides in the country.
*How The Media Covered It: *Fox News (Right bias) focused on internal disagreement among conservatives and Kennedy's past statements, framing the issue as a political contradiction more than a policy debate. The story included quotes from MAHA activists and conservatives, such as "This move betrays the very MAHA voters…" and "The right is captured by Big Glyphosate." In its headline, Politico (Lean Left) used a dramatic phrase like "unleashes on White House" that could suggest anger and chaos, framing the story as a political revolt, not just a policy disagreement.
Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). *Learn more. **Support our mission.*
Featured Coverage of this Story
Massie seeks to undo Trump's pro-glyphosate executive order
At least one Republican lawmaker is formally pushing back on President Trump's effort to boost a controversial herbicide, glyphosate, that's reviled by supporters of the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement.
Trump this week stoked MAHA fury by issuing an executive order that seeks to "ensure an adequate supply" of glyphosate as a national security issue and grant "immunity" to makers of the pesticide under the Defense Production Act.
MAHA unleashes on White House after Trump backs pesticide
President Donald Trump's Wednesday night executive order promoting production of a widely used herbicide is threatening to blow up a coalition that played a key role in his 2024 election victory.
Make America Healthy Again activists brought into the Republican fold by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are furious over Trump's move to ensure adequate supplies of the herbicide glyphosate, a prime target of their efforts to crack down on toxic chemicals that they argue are killing Americans.
RFK Jr defends Trump move to protect pesticide he tied to 'chronic disease epidemic'
(Fox News/Photo by Wolf von Dewitz via Getty Images)
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently defended a move by President Donald Trump to protect and boost the production of a precursor chemical for pesticides, which just two years ago RFK Jr. said was a major contributor to "America's chronic disease epidemic," and if elected he would "ban" it.
Citing national defense imperatives, Trump passed an executive order earlier this week to protect a precursor element used in the production of an herbicide known as glyphosate. Trump's executive order described glyphosate-based herbicides as "a cornerstone"...
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