The FBI's annual crime report indicates a notable decline in violent crime rates in the U.S. for 2025, with the murder rate reaching a 20-year low. The report, released on August 14, 2026, shows an 18.1% decrease in the murder rate compared to the previous year. Other categories of violent crime also reported significant reductions, including aggravated assaults (down 7.2%), rapes (down 7.6%), and robberies (down 18.5%).
President Trump highlighted these statistics during a speech at the Nassau County Police Academy, stating that the FBI's report reflects the largest reduction in violent crime in American history. FBI Director Kash Patel also noted the agency's success in apprehending several wanted fugitives.
The report also revealed a 7% decrease in reported hate crime incidents, although specific details regarding targeted groups were not provided. Additionally, motor vehicle thefts decreased by 22.7%, and burglaries fell by 15.8%.
Experts attribute the decline in violent crime to various factors, including societal changes and improved data sharing among law enforcement agencies. Adam Gelb, CEO of the Council on Criminal Justice, emphasized the need for caution in attributing the decline to specific policies or leaders, suggesting that multiple factors contribute to the trend.
Thaddeus Johnson, an assistant professor of criminology, noted the importance of community violence intervention and long-term strategies to maintain the downward trend in crime rates. The Uniform Crime Report compiles data from law enforcement agencies covering approximately 96% of the U.S. population, and the latest findings continue the downward trend observed in 2024.