WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to highlight a sharp decline in U.S. violent crime during a visit to the Nassau County Police Academy on Long Island on Friday, using the event to promote his law-and-order record ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump is expected to discuss preliminary FBI data showing violent crime fell an estimated 9.3% in 2025 from the previous year. The FBI said murder and non-negligent manslaughter declined 18.1%, robbery fell 18.5%, rape decreased 7.6% and aggravated assault dropped 7.2%. Property crime declined an estimated 12.4%. The data were based on submissions from more than 17,000 law enforcement agencies covering about 96% of the U.S. population.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche are expected to accompany Trump during the visit. The administration has portrayed the reductions as evidence that its policies are improving public safety, while Trump has made crime and support for law enforcement central themes of his political message.
The FBI has cautioned that the 2025 figures are preliminary and subject to revision before the agency releases its full annual report later this year. The bureau said the early data represented the largest annual decreases in violent crime and murder since 1937.
The broader decline in crime predates Trump's return to the White House. FBI data showed violent crime fell 4.5% in 2024, while murders declined about 15%, continuing a downward trend that followed the surge in killings during the coronavirus pandemic.
The timing of Trump's visit gives the crime figures added political significance. The president is seeking to strengthen Republican prospects in competitive congressional and statewide races, while New York Republicans are also emphasizing public safety in campaigns.
Trump's appearance will also draw attention to New York's gubernatorial contest, where Republican Bruce Blakeman is running with Trump's backing. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has likewise made public safety a focus, while Democrats have challenged Republican claims that federal policies were responsible for the nationwide decline.
The White House has separately cited further declines in crime during the first half of 2026, but the FBI's latest national data remain preliminary. Trump is scheduled to make the crime reduction case during his Nassau County visit on Friday.
