Crime Plummets Nationwide Under Trump's 'Law and Order' Agenda

Lawmakers praise Trump's policies as murder rate hits historic low

Feb. 6, 2026 at 1:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to new data from the Council on Criminal Justice, the nationwide murder rate has dropped to its lowest level since 1900, marking the largest single-year decline on record. Republican lawmakers are crediting President Trump's 'law and order' agenda, including increased federal law enforcement presence in cities like Atlanta and Richmond, for the historic crime drop.

Why it matters

The dramatic decline in violent crime, especially murders, is seen as a major policy victory for the Trump administration, which campaigned on a 'law and order' platform. The data suggests Trump's tough-on-crime approach, including cracking down on illegal immigration and empowering federal law enforcement, has been effective in reducing crime across the country.

The details

The report found that overall violent crime has reached levels last seen in 2019, when Trump's first administration enacted similar policies to fight crime. Republican lawmakers like Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Chip Roy, and Rep. Andy Barr praised Trump's 'strong law-and-order agenda' and 'decisive border policies' for 'saving American lives' and 'empowering' law enforcement. Specific cities like Atlanta and Richmond saw significant drops in homicide rates of 14% and 59% respectively since 2024, which officials attributed to increased federal law enforcement presence.

  • The nationwide murder rate has dropped to its lowest level since 1900.
  • The murder rate in America's largest cities plummeted in 2025 to its lowest level since at least 1900, marking the largest single-year drop in murders on record.
  • The FBI increased violent crime arrests by 100% in 2025 compared to the prior year.
  • The FBI conducted more than 67,000 arrests in the past year, which is 197% more than in the previous year.
  • The FBI has disrupted 1,800 gangs and criminal enterprises, which marks a 200% increase from 2024.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who campaigned on a 'law and order' platform and implemented policies to crack down on crime and illegal immigration.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House press secretary, who discussed the new crime data and the Trump administration's efforts to reduce crime.

Mike Lee

A Republican senator from Utah, who praised Trump's 'respect for law and order' for 'saving American lives.'

Chip Roy

A Republican representative from Texas, who said the 'historic decline in crime' is a 'direct result' of Trump's 'strong law-and-order agenda and decisive border policies.'

Andy Barr

A Republican representative from Kentucky, who pledged to continue fighting 'side-by-side' with Trump in 'backing the blue, deporting criminal illegals, and securing our border.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Between the apprehension and deportation of illegal criminals as well as a renewed focus safety in American cities, lives are being saved.”

— Mike Lee, Senator

“The historic decline in crime across the country is a direct result of President Trump's strong law-and-order agenda and decisive border policies, which empower our patriotic men and women in law enforcement to do their jobs effectively.”

— Chip Roy, Representative

“Crime is coming down because President Trump is the Law-and-Order President.”

— Andy Barr, Representative

What’s next

The lead researcher from the report, Ernesto Lopez, described the overall drop in crime, specifically homicide, as 'welcome news,' and noted that the homicide rate spiked significantly in 2020. The Trump administration is expected to continue its focus on law enforcement and border security in the coming years.

The takeaway

The dramatic decline in violent crime across the country, particularly the historic drop in the murder rate, is being hailed as a major policy success for the Trump administration's 'law and order' agenda. The data suggests that the president's tough-on-crime approach, including increased federal law enforcement presence and crackdowns on illegal immigration, has been effective in reducing crime in cities nationwide.