President Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order declaring the domestic production of “glyphosate-based herbicides” as “critical to national defense and security.” “Elemental phosphorus is pervasive in defense supply chains and is therefore crucial to military readiness and national defense. It is a key input in smoke, illumination, and incendiary devices and is a critical component for manufacturing the semiconductors that are central to numerous defense technologies, such as radar, solar cells, sensors, and optoelectronics. It is also increasingly important in modern lithium-ion battery chemistries used in a multitude of weapon-system supply chains,” the executive order read. “Elemental phosphorus is also a critical precursor element for the production of glyphosate-based herbicides, which play a critical role in maintaining America’s agricultural advantage by enabling farmers to efficiently and cost-effectively produce food and livestock feed. As the most widely used crop protection tools in United States agriculture, glyphosate-based herbicides are a cornerstone of this Nation’s agricultural productivity and rural economy, allowing United States farmers and ranchers to maintain high yields and low production costs while ensuring that healthy, affordable food options remain within reach for all American families,” it continued. ICYMI President Donald Trump issued an executive order on invoking the Defense Production Act to promote domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides (commonly known as Roundup). He has declared these chemicals as essential for national… pic.twitter.com/jnE5HhqvBE — Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) February 19, 2026 Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. backed Trump’s executive order in a statement to CNBC. “Donald Trump’s Executive Order puts America first where it matters most — our defense readiness and our food supply,” RFK Jr. told the outlet. “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families,” he continued. The executive order and RFK Jr.’s response has sparked a furious MAHA revolt. Many social media users cited RFK Jr.’s remarks on glyphosate when he was running for president in 2024. “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. Much more widely used here than in Europe. Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies. My USDA will ban that practice,” he said in June 2024. The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. Much more widely used here than in Europe. Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies.… — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 14, 2024 CNBC has more: But Kennedy’s MAHA coalition that supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election hates glyphosate, which has been alleged to cause cancer in myriad lawsuits. Now, the executive order threatens to unravel that coalition ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that could loosen the president’s grip on Washington. “Just as the large MAHA base begins to consider what to do at midterms, the President issues an EO to expand domestic glyphosate production,” Kelly Ryerson, a prominent MAHA activist known as The Glyphosate Girl, said in a post on X. “The very same carcinogenic pesticide that MAHA cares about most.” Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, a watchdog that has pushed back against chemicals in food for years, said in a statement that he “can’t envision a bigger middle finger to every MAHA mom than this.” “Elevating glyphosate to a national security priority is the exact opposite of what MAHA voters were promised,” Cook said. “If Secretary Kennedy remains at HHS after this, it will be impossible to argue that his past warnings about glyphosate were anything more than campaign rhetoric designed to win trust — and votes.” Kennedy, a former environmental attorney, notably once won a nearly $290 million case against Monsanto for a man who claimed his cancer was caused by Roundup. The executive order came down one day after Bayer proposed paying $7.25 billion to settle a series of lawsuits claiming Roundup causes cancer. TAKE A LOOK The day before President Donald Trump signed an executive order to prioritize and boost domestic production of glyphosate, Bayer/Roundup, announced a proposed $7.25 billion class action settlement to resolve current and future lawsuits claiming that glyphosate… pic.twitter.com/31AUFaewWI — Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) February 20, 2026 “There is no direct one-for-one chemical alternative to glyphosate-based herbicides. Lack of access to glyphosate-based herbicides would critically jeopardize agricultural productivity, adding pressure to the domestic food system, and may result in a transition of cropland to other uses due to low productivity. Given the profit margins growers currently face, any major restrictions in access to glyphosate-based herbicides would result in economic losses for growers and make it untenable for them to meet growing food and feed demands,” the executive order read. “This order confers all immunity provided for in section 707 of the Act (50 U.S.C. 4557). Additionally, domestic producers of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides are required to comply with this order, in accordance with the provisions of 7 C.F.R. part 789,” it added. Meanwhile, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) proposed legislation to prohibit glyphosate manufacturers from having a liability shield. “This week I will introduce the ‘No Immunity for Glyphosate Act’ to undo the recent Executive Order which promotes glyphosate (Round-Up) and insulates manufacturers from liability,” Massie said. This week I will introduce the “No Immunity for Glyphosate Act” to undo the recent Executive Order which promotes glyphosate (Round-Up) and insulates manufacturers from liability. #MAHA pic.twitter.com/NLqBRUjZwz — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) February 20, 2026 USA TODAY shared further: According to Trump’s order, glyphosate allows U.S. “farmers to efficiently and cost-effectively produce food and livestock feed.” The order further states that the U.S. has “only a single domestic producer of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, and this producer does not meet our annual needs for those inputs,” requiring roughly 6 million kilograms of elemental phosphorus to be imported annually. Trump ordered U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins, in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, to ensure no orders, rules or regulations place “the corporate viability of any domestic producer of elemental phosphorus or glyphosate-based herbicides at risk.” The move comes as several states debate whether manufacturers of the widely used chemical, like Bayer’s Monsanto, which markets its glyphosate-based herbicide as Roundup, should be protected from legal action over claims linking it to cancer. Dani Replogle, a Food & Water Watch senior attorney, said Thursday, Feb. 19, the executive order will do little to help farmers or consumers. “This is the clearest indication yet that the Trump administration is at the beck and call of the pesticide industry — Bayer specifically,” Replogle said. She said the Defense Production Act is typically reserved for “national emergencies like war or during the COVID pandemic,” when it was tapped to step up production of items such as personal protective equipment and ventilators. Read the full executive order HERE.