Trump and Harris Clash Over Crime Data in Heated Debate

Trump claims violent crime is surging, while Harris and fact-checkers point to FBI data showing a decline.

During the presidential debate, Trump asserted that violent crime is 'through the roof,' contradicting FBI data indicating a 15% drop in the first quarter of 2024.
Fact-checkers and debate moderators highlighted that recent data shows a decline in violent crime, but Trump dismissed these statistics as incomplete and fraudulent.
The FBI's new data collection system, implemented in 2021, has led to gaps in reporting from major cities, contributing to the controversy over crime statistics.
Experts note that while the FBI's data is preliminary and has limitations, other sources also indicate a downward trend in violent crime.
Trump's focus on crime committed by migrants was a key part of his argument, despite broader data trends showing an overall decrease in violent crime.