Trump touts crime reduction during New York visit

(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump touted his record on crime and public safety during a visit to New York on Friday, which was also aimed at boosting Republican candidates in tightly contested races ahead of the midterms.

Trump toured the Nassau County Police Academy in Long Island, where he highlighted new FBI crime statistics showing a drop in violent crime last year. In remarks, the president highlighted a drop in violent crime, immigration crackdowns and support for police during his second term in the White House, praising New York law enforcement officials packed into the auditorium for "making America safe again." 

"In the past four years before I took office, the country was overrun by violent criminals," Trump said in his remarks. "You remember just a couple of years ago how bad it was, right? Foreign gangs, savage thugs. Sleepy Joe. That was four years of hell. We lived in hell." 

The FBI's preliminary 2025 crime data shows violent crime fell an estimated 9.3% nationwide compared with 2024, including an 18.1% decrease in murder and non-negligent manslaughter. The agency says that's the single largest yearly decrease in those categories since 1937. 

But the president's visit was also aimed at boosting Republicans in closely contested races across his former home state, including two Long Island congressional seats held by Democrats that Republicans are hoping to flip in the fall elections. 

Trump also stumped for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, pointing out that his county has one of the best public safety ratings in the nation. 

"Think of that  — the number one safest county in the United States of America," Trump said from the podium, turning to Blakeman on the nearby stage. "How do you top that? Keep up the good work." 

Trump highlighted Blakeman's previous election wins and suggested he was within striking distance of defeating Hochul in the upcoming election.

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"He's going to win. I mean it," Trump said. "This guy is a winner." 

Trump won Nassau County in 2024, marking the first time Republicans had won the county in more than two decades. He endorsed Blakeman early in the race, and this is the second time he has appeared at a rally with the gubernatorial hopeful. 

A Siena poll released earlier this week shows Hochul leading Blakeman by 10 points, 49% to 39% — a 10 point drop from a June voter survey in a sign that the governor's race is tightening. 

Hochul, who is seeking another four-year term in November, criticized Friday's visit and said Trump "is rewarding his MAGA puppet by doubling down on his support." 

"From day one, Bruce Blakeman has supported Trump as he jacks up costs and enables ICE’s cruel overreach," she posted on X. "He’s only loyal to Trump. My loyalty is to New Yorkers — that’s the difference." 

Trump also used Friday's remarks to claim his administration is bringing the prices "way down” despite the latest data suggesting overall inflation is up 3.4%, compared to a year ago.

He also repeated his claim that Iran is "very badly defeated" and said he will "soon" be declaring that the strait of Hormuz is United States territory. He also defended the decision to attack Iran, saying despite the pain at the pumps for many Americans "we don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon." 

"Remember that when you have to pay a little bit more, you're at $4," Trump said. "I'll never apologize. I did the right thing."