I was just watching Ryan Roman ✞'s latest podcast and looked for myself in the issue, and thought I'd put it here so everyone is clear on this MAHA betrayal by Turnip and RFK Jr.
On February 18, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating glyphosate-based herbicides and elemental phosphorus as critical to national defense, invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950. The order mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, to prioritize and secure domestic production of both substances, citing threats to food security, agricultural productivity, and military readiness.
Key provisions of the order include:
- Legal immunity for domestic producers of glyphosate and elemental phosphorus under the Defense Production Act, shielding them from lawsuits related to compliance.
- Recognition that Bayer (Monsanto) is the sole U.S. supplier of glyphosate, which is used in Roundup, and that its domestic phosphate supply is limited and nearing depletion.
- A claim that glyphosate is essential for maintaining high crop yields and affordable food, with no direct chemical alternative currently available.
- Acknowledgment that elemental phosphorus is vital not only for fertilizers but also for defense technologies, including radar, solar cells, semiconductors, and modern lithium-ion batteries.
The move has sparked widespread backlash, particularly from health and environmental advocates. Critics, including members of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) coalition, called the order a betrayal of promises made during the campaign, especially given Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s prior criticism of glyphosate. Environmental groups argue the order prioritizes corporate profits over public health and environmental safety, despite scientific evidence linking glyphosate to cancer and other health issues.
Bayer, facing over 100,000 lawsuits alleging its glyphosate products cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, welcomed the order, stating it reinforces the need for farmers to have access to essential crop protection tools. The company has proposed a $7.25 billion class-action settlement to resolve existing and future claims, with a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for April 27, 2026.
The order also aligns with broader legislative efforts, including draft provisions in the 2026 farm bill that would limit state-level liability and labeling requirements for pesticides, further protecting chemical manufacturers.
