Washington: The White House cited new crime and immigration data to argue that the Trump administration’s public safety and border enforcement policies are producing tangible results. Officials pointed to a sharp fall in violent crime, a rise in arrests of serious offenders, and tighter control along the US southern border.
Addressing reporters, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt referred to findings from the Council on Criminal Justice, which monitors crime trends in major American cities. According to the data, the national murder rate declined significantly in 2025, reaching its lowest level in more than a century. The administration described the drop as the largest single-year reduction in homicides recorded across large urban areas.
Leavitt said the administration attributes the improvement to stricter border controls, expanded federal law-enforcement operations, and coordinated efforts to remove violent offenders. She noted that arrests for violent crimes reportedly doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Between January 2025 and January 2026, federal agencies recorded more than 67,000 arrests linked to violent offenses. Authorities also reported dismantling nearly 1,800 gangs and criminal networks, detaining over 1,700 individuals accused of crimes against children, and arresting hundreds connected to human trafficking.
City-level figures were also cited. In Washington, D.C., homicide rates reportedly dropped by more than 60 per cent, while vehicle thefts fell by over half. In Memphis, Tennessee, a joint federal-local initiative led to thousands of arrests and notable declines in serious crimes, including robbery and aggravated assault.
Immigration enforcement featured prominently in the briefing. Leavitt said deportations of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes have played a role in improving community safety. She added that public opinion surveys show strong support for removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
On border security, the administration claimed a sharp reduction in illegal crossings, with daily apprehensions falling to a fraction of previous levels. Officials said nationwide enforcement operations would continue, regardless of local political leadership.
The briefing also addressed election security and foreign policy. Leavitt reiterated support for proposed voter identification legislation and said the administration remains committed to preventing nuclear proliferation while pursuing diplomatic engagement and updated arms control agreements.
