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USCrime – The White House is highlighting new national crime and immigration figures as evidence that President Donald Trump’s public safety strategy is delivering measurable results, citing steep declines in violent crime, a surge in arrests of serious offenders, and what officials describe as unprecedented border control.

Speaking during a crowded press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to recently released data from the Council on Criminal Justice, which tracks crime trends in major U.S. cities. According to the study, the national murder rate dropped sharply in 2025, reaching its lowest level in more than a century. Leavitt described the shift as the largest single-year reduction in murders ever recorded across America’s largest urban areas.

Administration Credits Enforcement-Focused Policies

Leavitt said the administration believes the decline is closely tied to a combination of stricter border enforcement, expanded federal policing efforts, and an aggressive approach to removing violent offenders from the country. She argued that stronger coordination among federal agencies has played a central role in reducing crime nationwide.

According to figures shared at the briefing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation significantly increased its enforcement activity in 2025. Violent crime arrests were reported to have doubled compared with the previous year. From Inauguration Day in 2025 through January 20, 2026, federal authorities made more than 67,000 arrests tied to violent offenses. During that same period, law enforcement agencies disrupted roughly 1,800 gangs and criminal organizations, detained more than 1,700 individuals accused of crimes against children, and arrested over 300 people linked to human trafficking operations.

Local Crime Data Shows Sharp Declines

The press secretary also cited city-level statistics to support the administration’s claims. In Washington, D.C., she said homicide rates fell by more than 60 percent, while vehicle thefts dropped by more than half compared with previous years.

In Memphis, Tennessee, Leavitt highlighted the results of a targeted federal-local initiative known as “Make Memphis Safe Again.” She said nearly 5,600 arrests were made under the program, contributing to substantial reductions in aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, and robberies. The administration has presented these outcomes as examples of how federal involvement can reinforce local crime prevention efforts.

Deportations Framed as Public Safety Measure

Immigration enforcement was another major focus of the briefing. Leavitt said the removal of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes has been a key factor in improving public safety. She argued that deportations of individuals linked to gangs and organized crime have directly reduced threats in American communities.

The administration cited recent deportations involving individuals from countries including Venezuela, El Salvador, and Cuba. Leavitt also referenced public opinion surveys indicating broad support for removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records, saying that a strong majority of Americans favor such actions.

Border Security Claims and Enforcement Approach

On border policy, Leavitt said enforcement efforts have intensified dramatically over the past year. She stated that no undocumented migrants had been released into the United States during the past nine months, a sharp contrast to prior periods. Daily apprehensions at the southern border have reportedly fallen to around 250, down from more than 5,000 per day under the previous administration.

Leavitt added that federal immigration authorities would continue operations nationwide, including in cities governed by Democratic leadership. She said cooperation from state and local officials has made enforcement efforts more effective, though federal agencies remain prepared to act independently when necessary.

Election Integrity and Foreign Policy Remarks

The briefing also touched on election security. Leavitt said the president supports passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present identification, provide proof of citizenship when registering, and mandate states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. She described the proposal as a set of practical safeguards aimed at maintaining confidence in elections.

In foreign policy comments, Leavitt said diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred approach in dealing with adversarial nations, including Iran. However, she emphasized that preventing nuclear weapons development remains a firm objective. She also said the president favors negotiating a new arms control agreement to replace the New START treaty, describing the goal as a more modern and effective framework.