CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten says Americans strongly favor President Donald Trump’s approach to crime over former President Joe Biden’s, as public concern over urban violence grows.
Enten explained that Trump has maintained a polling advantage on the issue, noting that his first-term crime rating was -13 but has since improved, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Enten reported that Trump’s net approval on crime stood at +1 in August 2025, compared with Biden’s -26 in 2024 — a 27-point gap.
“Look in 2024, look at where Biden’s net approval was on crime. Way underwater there at -26 points. It was one of Biden’s worst issues, granted, pretty much every issue was one of Biden’s worst issues,” Enten said.
“And again, look at where Donald Trump is. Way, way, way above Joe Biden. That’s 27 points. So Americans vastly prefer Donald Trump’s approach to crime than they did to Joe Biden’s and again, I think it gets back to the point that Americans are far more hawkish on crime than Democrats want to admit.”
Enten added, “Americans view Trump far more favorably now on crime than they did a year ago, and while this polling doesn’t exactly take into account what exactly is happening in D.C. right now, it does take into account what happened in Los Angeles, what’s happened earlier this year.”
“And Americans, for the most part, actually view Trump favorably. Crime is one of Trump’s best issues, it’s one of the reasons why he wants to talk about crime, because it favors him.”
Commentators have cautioned Democrats about downplaying crime. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews said, “You can’t keep saying violent crime is down but the murder rate’s up — to the average person the murder rate is about life and death. You don’t brag about a rising murder rate. … The Democrats are falling in the trap of defending what’s indefensible.”
The Atlantic reported, “The nation’s capital really does have a long-standing and profound violence problem that will not improve without deliberate intervention.”
Trump has expanded a federal anti-crime initiative in Washington, D.C., which has drawn support from law enforcement but criticism from Democratic leaders questioning his methods and data.
Authorities reported 68 arrests in one night and more than 300 since the effort began in early August. Officials also said 15 illegal firearms have been seized and charges include aggravated assault and assault on a police officer. Three homeless encampments have been cleared without arrests.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said, “In less than ten days, over 300 dangerous criminals have already been arrested and taken off the streets of Washington, D.C. President Trump is delivering on his campaign promise to clean up this city and restore American Greatness to our cherished capital.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi added, “Over 300 arrests in D.C. — and counting: Just last night, our federal and DC law enforcement partners made 68 arrests and seized 15 illegal firearms. Homicide suspects, drug traffickers, and more are being charged. I’ll continue to stand with you as we make DC safe again!”
In the first week after the White House assumed control of Washington, D.C.’s police force and deployed federal agents and National Guard troops, the city recorded a modest drop in reported crime but a sharp increase in immigration-related arrests, according to a CNN analysis of government data.
For the week beginning August 12 — the first full week under federal control — property crimes fell by about 19 percent compared to the week prior, while violent crime dropped 17 percent, based on the most recent Metropolitan Police Department statistics.
The trends varied by category. Robberies and car break-ins fell by more than 40 percent, while thefts remained flat. Burglary cases rose 6 percent, and assaults with a dangerous weapon increased 14 percent. Two homicides occurred during the period, consistent with recent weeks, though none have been reported since August 13.