Sara Bailey, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy

Sara Carter Bailey of Texas was nominated to serve as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the White House's top drug policy position often called the drug czar. The role involves leading the administration's drug policy agenda across issues including marijuana, psychedelics, harm reduction, and overdose prevention. Bailey is an investigative journalist and former Fox News contributor who has covered drug cartels and related issues. She has worked for publications including the Washington Examiner and Washington Times and is a two-time recipient of the National Headliner Award. During her confirmation process, Bailey voiced support for medical cannabis and stated she does not have a problem with legalization, though she emphasized the administration would work with research and data while exploring all options on policy matters. Some Democratic senators raised concerns about her qualifications, with Senator Dick Durbin arguing she lacked experience as a physician, addiction specialist, prosecutor, or law enforcement official. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced her nomination in October 2025, and the full Senate confirmed her on December 18, 2025, by a vote of 52-48, largely along party lines.

Sara Bailey, also known professionally as Sara Carter, is an investigative journalist and media commentator who has extensively covered national security, border issues, and the impact of drug cartels. Before her appointment as Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), she was a prominent contributor to Fox News and hosted a popular podcast where she frequently reported on the illicit drug trade and its effects on American communities. Her career includes work for several major news outlets, including the Washington Examiner and The Washington Times, and she is a two-time recipient of the National Headliner Award for her reporting.

Bailey’s qualifications for the role of drug czar stem from her years of field reporting on the front lines of the drug crisis, particularly her focus on the operations of international cartels and the flow of illegal substances across the U.S. border. While her background is primarily in journalism rather than law enforcement or public health, she has positioned herself as an advocate for data-driven policy and has expressed support for medical cannabis and the rescheduling of marijuana. She has emphasized the importance of addressing the overdose epidemic through a combination of interdiction and public awareness.

As Director of the ONDCP, Bailey is responsible for coordinating the federal government's multi-agency effort to reduce drug use and its consequences. This role is critical in shaping the national response to the opioid crisis, managing the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, and advising the President on drug control priorities. Her leadership comes at a time of significant policy shifts, including federal efforts to reschedule cannabis and a continued national focus on combating the trafficking of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.