Under the Biden-Harris administration, violent crime has surged significantly, with rape, robbery, and aggravated assault seeing more than a 40 percent increase, according to an analysis of Justice Department data by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC).
This alarming rise in violent crime starkly contrasts with the 15 percent decline reported during former President Donald Trump’s tenure, based on CPRC estimates.
The spike in violent crime has raised concerns across the political spectrum, as it undermines claims made by the current administration regarding the state of public safety.
During a recent debate, Trump highlighted these discrepancies, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of misleading the public about crime rates.
“Despite their fraudulent statements that they made,” Trump said, “crime in this country is through the roof. And we have a new form of crime. It’s called migrant crime.”
The rise in crime has been particularly noticeable in urban areas, where incidents of robbery, rape, and assault have skyrocketed. Many cities are grappling with increasing violence while struggling to maintain public order and safety.
This surge has created mounting pressure on local law enforcement agencies, which are often under-resourced and overwhelmed. Critics of the Biden-Harris administration argue that soft-on-crime policies and lenient approaches to law enforcement have contributed to this uptick.
The CPRC’s analysis of Justice Department data reveals disturbing trends. Rape and sexual assault have surged, while robberies have also risen sharply.
Aggravated assaults, which include attacks involving weapons or severe physical harm, have increased at a similar rate. These findings contradict assertions from the Biden administration, which has frequently downplayed concerns about rising crime rates.
Vice President Kamala Harris has touted the administration’s efforts to address gun violence and support law enforcement, but critics argue that these measures have failed to stem the tide of violence gripping many communities.
One of the most contentious issues related to crime under the Biden administration has been the role of migrant crime. Trump’s remark during the debate about “migrant crime” alludes to what he and others view as a growing problem tied to the influx of undocumented immigrants.
Some conservative commentators and politicians have linked the rise in violent crime to an increase in illegal immigration, claiming that insufficient border security and lax immigration enforcement are exacerbating the issue.
While the Biden administration has pushed back against such claims, arguing that crime increases are more complex and involve multiple factors, the data from the CPRC paint a troubling picture.
Trump’s emphasis on law and order has resonated with his supporters, many of whom see crime as a central issue in the 2024 election. His warning about the rise of “migrant crime” further fuels the broader debate about the nation’s immigration policies and their impact on public safety.
As the election draws nearer, violent crime is likely to remain a focal point for both candidates. The Biden-Harris administration faces increasing pressure to address the perception that crime is out of control, while Trump continues to push for a return to the tougher policies that he argues kept Americans safer during his presidency.
With both candidates offering starkly different visions for the future of public safety, the issue of crime will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping voters’ decisions in 2024.
