US Justice Department reports record drop in violent crime

Preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate a significant decline in crime across the United States in 2025. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, violent crime victimization—excluding simple assault—fell 25%, dropping from 9.9 to 7.4 incidents per 1,000 people aged 12 or older.

Specific categories saw substantial decreases: aggravated assault victimization fell by 31%, robbery dropped by 27%, and motor vehicle theft declined by 29%. Property crime also saw a marked reduction, falling 19% from 138.0 to 111.2 incidents per 1,000 households. The Justice Department described these declines as historic, noting they represent the largest single-year decreases in the survey’s 50-year history.

Administration officials attributed the trend to various enforcement measures, including immigration crackdowns, drug enforcement, and initiatives targeting guns and gangs. Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward credited the administration’s public safety agenda for the results.