Former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to strongly endorse FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. This came amid right-wing criticism of the Justice Department’s assertion that no “Jeffrey Epstein client list” exists. Trump praised the FBI’s renewed focus on crime reduction and law enforcement under Patel and Bongino, claiming they are “cleaning up America’s streets” and allowing agents to operate without political interference.
Trump linked to a Federalist article by criminologist John R. Lott Jr., who reported that the U.S. is on track to see its lowest murder rate in decades. Lott attributed this trend to law enforcement reforms and immigration crackdowns initiated by Trump. The article emphasized that improved law enforcement and the deportation of criminal illegal aliens are likely key factors in the crime rate decline.
FBI Director Patel outlined his leadership approach in a recent podcast, stating he prioritizes de-politicizing the agency and empowering officers to act without bureaucratic obstacles. Patel has reallocated agents from Washington, D.C., to higher-crime areas across the country, aiming for more effective crime prevention and response.
Additionally, a newly declassified document from DNI Tulsi Gabbard revealed that under President Biden, law enforcement resources were used to monitor non-criminal conservative groups. Lott highlighted this as a misallocation of resources that Trump’s administration is now reversing, including eliminating DEI programs within federal law enforcement.
Finally, since January 2025, the FBI has coordinated efforts with ICE and local agencies, arresting over 10,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records. Lott argued that the increased enforcement has deterred criminal activity, contributing to the overall reduction in crime across the country.
