U.S. President Donald Trump is set to highlight FBI data expected to show the largest year-to-year decline in violent crime on record, aiming to bolster his law-and-order message ahead of the midterm elections.
The announcement aims to bolster President Trump's 'law and order' platform ahead of the midterm elections, potentially influencing voter sentiment by highlighting a perceived success in public safety amidst economic concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to present FBI data on Friday that is expected to reveal the largest year-over-year decrease in violent crime on record. The White House is framing this as evidence of the success of his law-and-order agenda, aiming to draw attention away from economic issues like inflation that have impacted his approval ratings ahead of the November midterm elections.
The president will visit the Nassau County Police Academy in New York to unveil the 2025 FBI data. According to excerpts shared by the White House, the report indicates an estimated 18.1% decline in murder and non-negligent manslaughter and an 18.5% drop in robberies. While some violent crimes surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the data suggests the subsequent fall in homicides began in 2023 and 2024, reaching pre-pandemic lows.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche are expected to attend the event. Republicans are looking to leverage public safety as a key issue to resonate with swing voters, contrasting their stance with Democrats. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated, 'President Trump promised to make America safe again and the data proves he has done just that.'
However, Democrats contend that Republicans are exaggerating the impact of federal policy on the crime decline, noting that the trend began before Trump's return to office. They also argue that progressive police reform movements have largely receded, and some have shifted focus to reforming policing while also criticizing immigration officers for recent killings of U.S. citizens.