Trump to Release FBI Crime Data at Long Island Police Academy Visit

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the Nassau County Police Academy on Long Island on Friday, where the White House says he will release new FBI statistics indicating a decline in violent crime for 2025. The trip is designed to spotlight his administration's record on public safety and support Republican candidates in competitive New York races ahead of the November midterms.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis framed the visit around the president's campaign promise, stating, "President Trump promised to make America safe again and the data proves he has done just that." She contrasted his stance with that of Democrats, adding, "Unlike Defund-the-Police Democrats, President Trump will always stand with our law enforcement officers and deliver safer American neighborhoods."

Trump will be accompanied by Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. The event is aimed at boosting GOP prospects in Nassau County, which Trump narrowly won in 2024—a first for a Republican in over two decades. The county is home to two Democratic-held House seats that Republicans are targeting, and it is the base for Bruce Blakeman, the Trump-endorsed Republican challenging Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.

This marks Trump's second visit to New York this year in support of Blakeman and other Republicans. In May, he spoke in the Hudson Valley, where he argued Blakeman would curb "out of control" crime. Crime is a central issue in the governor's race, with both campaigns claiming stronger records on public safety. Hochul recently visited a different Long Island police department to announce a statewide investment in policing technology.

Blakeman welcomed the visit, saying he is grateful Trump will tour the county's "state-of-the-art law enforcement facilities." In a Thursday interview, he downplayed concerns about the president's popularity in New York City, suggesting that having a direct line to the White House could be an asset for the state.

Hochul's campaign pushed back, with spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki accusing Blakeman of allowing violent crime to reach "decade highs" in the county and criticizing federal immigration enforcement actions.

Republican strategists see crime as a strong issue for the party. Matt Gorman noted it appeals to both the base and suburban swing voters, while Jesse Hunt called it "a massive winner for Republicans." The White House says the new FBI data will show year-over-year drops in murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, though experts caution against drawing firm conclusions from single-year changes.

Trump's focus on crime comes amid low approval ratings on other fronts, including the economy and the ongoing war in Iran. An August 2025 poll showed crime as one of his stronger issues, though his approval on it had slipped by December. The president has also touted National Guard deployments in Democrat-led cities, recently threatening to sue a think tank over a report questioning their effectiveness.