Violent Crime Fell Dramatically Nationwide Under President Trump, New Report Shows

Violent crime dropped sharply across the United States in 2025, continuing a sustained decline during President Donald J. Trump’s current term, according to a comprehensive year-end analysis released by the Council on Criminal Justice.

The nonpartisan organization examined crime data from 40 of the nation’s largest cities and found that 11 of 13 major crime categories declined compared with 2024. Notably, nine of those categories fell by double-digit percentages, underscoring what analysts described as a broad-based improvement in public safety.

Homicides declined by 21 percent across the cities studied — one of the most significant year-over-year drops seen in recent decades. Other serious offenses also saw steep reductions. Motor vehicle theft fell by 27 percent, while burglary, shoplifting, and multiple forms of violent assault posted substantial decreases as well.

According to the council, the reductions were observed across regions of the country, though the size of the declines varied by city. The findings extend a downward trajectory that began after the post-pandemic crime surge of 2020 and 2021, a period marked by widespread disruptions to policing, courts, and social services.

Since 2022, homicide rates have fallen each year. By 2025, homicide levels were approximately 25 percent lower than in 2019 among cities with consistent reporting, the council reported.

Several major metropolitan areas experienced especially pronounced improvements. Washington, D.C., recorded a drop of roughly 40 percent compared with the prior year. Denver saw a 41 percent reduction, while Omaha reported a decline near 40 percent. Los Angeles, Chicago, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Buffalo each logged homicide decreases exceeding 30 percent.

While many large cities reported meaningful progress, the council cautioned that improvements were uneven and that some jurisdictions still face elevated levels of gun violence relative to pre-pandemic norms.

Researchers emphasized that no single policy or condition explains the decline. Instead, they pointed to a combination of factors, including adjustments in policing strategies, expanded community-based violence intervention programs, demographic changes, and the continued normalization of social and economic life following COVID-era disruptions.

Separate data released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association reinforced the findings, showing an overall homicide decline of about 20 percent across 67 large law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has not yet published its finalized national crime statistics for 2025, but preliminary indicators appear consistent with the downward trends observed at the city level.

Several cities also reached historic public-safety milestones. New York City reported its lowest recorded level of gun violence, while Philadelphia posted its lowest homicide total since 1966. Chicago experienced a roughly 30 percent year-over-year decline.

Despite the encouraging numbers, experts warned that crime remains above historic lows in certain areas and stressed that sustained enforcement and prevention efforts will be essential to lock in long-term gains.

Analysts also noted that crime rates can fluctuate in response to economic conditions, population shifts, and changes in enforcement policy.

Public safety officials said continued coordination among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and community organizations will play a key role in maintaining the progress seen in 2025.

The Council on Criminal Justice said it will continue monitoring trends into 2026 to determine whether the declines seen under President Trump’s leadership represent a lasting reversal of the crime spikes that followed the pandemic years.