U.S. Murder Rate Falls to 125-Year Low in 2025, White House Claims

Washington, Jan. 22, 2026 — The White House on Thursday claimed that the murder rate in the United States has dropped to its lowest level in at least 125 years, citing newly released crime data covering major American cities in 2025.
According to the administration, a report by the Council on Criminal Justice and additional media analyses indicate that murders fell to levels not seen since 1900, marking what officials described as the largest one-year decline in recorded history. The White House attributed the decline to President Donald Trump’s “law and order” policies during his return to office.
In a statement, the administration said the reduction in murders was accompanied by significant decreases in other violent crimes, including rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, and shooting deaths. It also pointed to declines in on-duty law enforcement officer fatalities, traffic deaths, and drug overdose deaths.
The White House credited what it called a “whole-of-government” crime strategy, including increased federal involvement in Democrat-run cities, expanded immigration enforcement, and stronger support for police departments nationwide. Officials said mass deportations of undocumented immigrants with criminal records and intensified border security measures had contributed to improved public safety.
“This monumental turnaround is a direct result of President Trump’s unwavering commitment to Make America Safe Again,” the White House said in the statement, while accusing previous Democratic administrations of weakening law enforcement and allowing crime to rise.
However, independent experts have cautioned that long-term crime trends are influenced by multiple factors, including economic conditions, demographic shifts, policing strategies, and post-pandemic social stabilization. Some analysts also note that national crime statistics can vary depending on reporting practices and the cities included in year-end datasets.
Despite the debate, the administration has framed the latest figures as evidence that its domestic security agenda is working and has pledged to continue aggressive crime-reduction and immigration enforcement policies throughout 2026.