Mon Sep 23 22:18:27 UTC 2024: ## Crime Rates Fall Nationwide, Undermining Trump’s Claims

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The FBI reported a nationwide decrease in violent crime for 2023, with substantial drops in murder and rape. The overall decline contradicts claims by former President Donald Trump that crime is on the rise under the Biden administration.

The FBI data reveals a 3% decrease in violent crime, with murder falling 11.6% and rape dropping 9.4%. Aggravated assault and robbery saw smaller declines as well. Property crime also decreased by 2.4% overall, although car thefts saw a 12.6% increase.

Trump has repeatedly blamed the Biden administration, and specifically Vice President Kamala Harris, for a purported rise in crime. He has particularly emphasized an alleged skyrocketing homicide rate. However, the FBI’s figures, along with data from other sources, consistently show a decline in homicides.

The Trump campaign argues that the FBI’s numbers are misleading due to a decrease in participating law enforcement agencies. However, the FBI maintains that the 2023 data is based on information from agencies covering 94.3% of the U.S. population, similar to historical levels.

The campaign also cites the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) which suggests a rise in violent crime since 2020, excluding homicides. The NCVS, however, does not include homicides and relies on victim reports, potentially leading to variations in data.

While acknowledging the drop in crime, the Trump campaign criticizes the “Fake News” for suggesting a decrease and continues to blame the Biden administration. The campaign insists that Trump is the only one who can “END the lawlessness” and claims that Harris should be held accountable for any increase in crime during the Biden administration.

Analysts point out that the president and vice president have limited influence on crime rates. Furthermore, the Trump campaign’s own argument that Harris should be blamed for increases under Biden would logically also hold Trump responsible for the significant rise in homicides during his administration.

Preliminary data for 2024 indicates a further decrease in homicides, with a 17.6% drop reported in a sample of 277 cities.

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