FBI Director Kash Patel spent nearly 12 minutes during congressional testimony outlining what he described as the most prolific run of crime reduction in United States history under President Trump’s leadership. Citing FBI Uniform Crime Report data, Patel pointed to a 9.3 percent drop in violent crime in 2025, calling it the largest annual decline on record. He also noted an 18.1 percent reduction in murders that year, along with continued decreases in the first half of 2026 that included an additional 10.6 percent fall in violent crime. Patel framed the results as evidence of a rebuilt FBI focused on aggressive enforcement and partnering with local agencies.

Additional figures highlighted during the testimony included a 90 percent increase in violent crime arrests and the capture of nine of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives. Patel linked the gains to operational changes, increased arrests of gang members, and a broader “back the blue” approach. The presentation raises questions about the sustainability of the declines, the role of federal versus local efforts, and how the statistics will be interpreted amid ongoing political debates over crime and policing. Officials will continue to monitor whether the trends hold through the remainder of 2026.