Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has voiced strong criticism of mainstream media outlets, alleging that they are minimizing the significance of a notable reduction in violent crime during the Trump administration. Speaking on “Hannity,” Bongino highlighted key achievements from the administration, including a substantial uptick in arrests of violent offenders, record drug seizures, and the capture of high-profile fugitives from the FBI’s most wanted list.
Bongino pointed out that the murder rate has plummeted to its lowest level since 1900, underscoring the unprecedented nature of this decline. “By definition, there’s no modern precedent for that,” he stated, emphasizing the drastic drop in crime statistics.
On the same day, the Council on Criminal Justice released a report analyzing crime trends across 40 major cities, revealing that 11 out of 13 crime categories saw a decrease in 2025 compared to the previous year. It also forecasted that once the FBI publishes nationwide data later this year, the homicide levels for 2025 might hit record lows, further confirming the downward trend in violent crime since 2019.
Despite these findings, Bongino accused certain media outlets, including Axios and The New York Times, of acknowledging the crime drop while failing to give proper credit to the Trump administration’s policies. He noted that an Axios article pointed out the decline in violence but included “excuses” that downplayed the impact of Trump’s strategies.
With respect to criticism from the media, such as a New York Times headline citing staff claims that FBI Director Kash Patel is “Making America Less Safe,” Bongino dismissed it as unsubstantiated, expressing frustration at what he perceives as a lack of credibility among those reporting it.
Bongino’s comments come shortly after he stepped down from his role as deputy director at the FBI, where he aimed to overhaul the bureau and shift its strategic focus. His journey through law enforcement and insights from his tenure lend an authoritative perspective to the ongoing discussions around crime rates and effective policy measures during the past administration. The conversation continues about the factors contributing to this significant decline in crime, highlighting both historical patterns and the multifaceted nature of crime prevention strategies.