Quick Summary
President Trump traveled to the Nassau County Police Academy on Long Island Friday to unveil FBI crime data he says shows the largest year-to-year decrease in violent crime since the bureau began recording statistics in 1936. According to Fox News, Trump, joined by newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, touted an estimated 18.1% drop in murder and non-negligent manslaughter for 2025, alongside declines in robberies, rapes, and aggravated assault. The visit doubled as a campaign stop for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican running for New York governor against Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul, and drew more than 100 protesters who gathered outside the venue.
What Happened
According to The Epoch Times, the White House framed the visit around the release of the FBI’s 2025 Crime Statistics Report, with spokeswoman Lauren Bis stating that Trump had promised to make America safe again and that the new data proves he has done just that. Trump’s remarks at the police academy, an 89,000-square-foot advanced training and intelligence center, focused heavily on crime, immigration, and his administration’s support for law enforcement, according to Herald Community Newspapers.
Trump cited the FBI figures as showing the largest reduction in violent crime in American history for 2025, along with additional declines in murders and robberies reported so far in 2026, according to the Herald’s coverage. He also criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul directly over the state’s bail reform laws, which he has repeatedly referred to as “cashless bail,” arguing they have contributed to rising crime, and praised Blakeman’s record as Nassau County Executive.
Outside the venue, more than 100 protesters gathered in a designated area on Endo Boulevard, organized with participation from Nassau County Democratic Party officials, community leaders, and residents, according to Herald Community Newspapers. Civil rights attorney Fred Brewington led protesters in chants, including a message stating that what people were witnessing represented what America looks like today and that demonstrators were not going away.
Background
According to Fox News, the figures Trump presented include an estimated 18.5% drop in robberies, a 7.6% decrease in rapes, and a 7.2% decline in aggravated assault for 2025. He also announced that burglaries dropped by an estimated 15.8%, larceny decreased by 9.8%, and motor vehicle theft declined by 22.7%, according to the same reporting. These statistics come from the FBI’s soon-to-be released full 2025 Crime Statistics Report.
The visit carried clear electoral stakes. Republican nominee Jeanine Driscoll, who is running against Democratic Congresswoman Laura Gillen in New York’s 4th Congressional District, also attended the rally, according to The Epoch Times, which noted Trump endorsed Driscoll last month in a Truth Social post praising her commitment to safeguarding elections, securing the border, stopping migrant crime, and ensuring law and order. According to ABC7 New York, the event was explicitly structured to boost Republican candidates in closely contested races across Trump’s home state ahead of the midterms.
Why It Matters
The timing of the crime data release, delivered directly by Trump at a campaign-style rally rather than through a routine FBI statistical publication, underscores how central public safety messaging has become to Republican midterm strategy in competitive states like New York. Framing the numbers as validation of his administration’s approach to law enforcement gives Trump a concrete talking point to deploy on behalf of candidates like Blakeman and Driscoll in races where crime and immigration have been recurring themes.
At the same time, the sizable protest presence outside the venue signals that not everyone in Nassau County shares the administration’s framing of the data or its broader law enforcement policies, particularly given Trump’s simultaneous criticism of New York’s bail reform laws and his administration’s continued immigration enforcement activities across the state, including ongoing operations previously documented in New York City. The dual nature of the event, official crime statistics presentation paired with direct campaign advocacy, illustrates how closely intertwined federal data releases and midterm political messaging have become under the current administration.
Statistics & Context
- Reported drop in murder and non-negligent manslaughter, 2025: 18.1%
- Reported drop in robberies: 18.5%
- Reported decrease in rapes: 7.6%
- Reported decline in aggravated assault: 7.2%
- Reported drop in burglaries: 15.8%
- Reported decrease in larceny: 9.8%
- Reported decline in motor vehicle theft: 22.7%
- Years since the FBI began recording comparable crime statistics: since 1936, making this the largest year-to-year decrease on record
- Protesters gathered outside the venue: more than 100
- Size of the Nassau County Police Academy facility: 89,000 square feet
What’s Next
The FBI’s full 2025 Crime Statistics Report is expected to be formally released in the near term, providing more detailed breakdowns behind the topline figures Trump presented Friday. Blakeman’s gubernatorial campaign against Hochul, along with Driscoll’s House race against Gillen, are likely to continue featuring crime and public safety as central themes through November’s midterm elections, with Trump expected to remain an active surrogate for both candidates in the closing months of the campaign.
FAQ
What crime statistics did Trump present?
FBI data showing an estimated 18.1% drop in murder and non-negligent manslaughter for 2025, along with declines in robberies, rapes, aggravated assault, burglaries, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.
Why is this being called the largest drop on record?
Officials describe it as the largest year-to-year decrease in violent crime since the FBI began recording comparable crime statistics in 1936.
Why did Trump visit Nassau County specifically?
The visit doubled as a campaign event supporting Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s run for New York governor and Republican candidate Jeanine Driscoll’s congressional campaign.
Were there protests at the event?
Yes. More than 100 protesters gathered outside the venue, organized with participation from Nassau County Democratic Party officials and community leaders.
What criticism did Trump make of New York’s policies?
He criticized Governor Kathy Hochul over the state’s bail reform laws, which he has referred to as “cashless bail,” arguing they have contributed to rising crime.
Editorial Note: This article was prepared using publicly available information from news organizations available at the time of publication.
Sources:
Fox News: Trump to rally with New York police in highlighting historic coast-to-coast violent crime drop
The Epoch Times: Trump Highlights Record Drop in Violent Crime in Visit to NY Police Academy