In a recent Boston Globe opinion column, former USA Today columnist David Mastio highlighted a notable decline in recorded violent deaths of transgender individuals during the Trump administration. Citing statistics from Advocates for Trans Equality and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Mastio reported that the number of documented anti‑trans killings fell from 53 in 2023 to 27 in 2025 – a reduction of almost 50%.
Data show a downward trend
The HRC’s own tallies support the trend, showing a peak of 47 deaths in 2021 that dropped to 27 last year, a 40% decrease. Mastio emphasized that these figures suggest a genuine improvement in safety for the transgender community, even as the administration has pursued a robust agenda of anti‑trans legislation at the state level.
Critics remain skeptical
Transgender advocacy groups, however, cautioned that a single data point does not prove lasting safety. Advocates for Trans Equality warned that “a dip in one datapoint does not suggest that transgender people are any safer today.” The organization also pointed to broader challenges facing the community, including Medicaid cuts, rising fuel costs, and increased immigration enforcement, which they argue create an environment of uncertainty.
HRC declined to comment on the specific numbers cited in the column.
Independent analysis backs the decline
The Manhattan Institute, a free‑market think tank, released a report indicating that the transgender population actually experiences a lower murder rate than the general population. Report authors Vincent Lundgren and fellow Colin Wright argued that the data contradicts activist narratives that portray the community as under siege.
Wright praised the Boston Globe piece as “shockingly sober,” noting that the HRC’s silence was unsurprising. He added that the report’s findings are “irrefutable” and called for media outlets to acknowledge the truth rather than “hide from it.”
Administration’s stance
President Trump’s team has repeatedly asserted that the nation is safer overall under his leadership, citing improvements in crime statistics and economic stability. While the administration’s anti‑trans legislative push has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, the declining violence figures provide a counterpoint that aligns with the administration’s broader claim of a safer America.
What this means for the community
For families and faith‑based organizations concerned about the well‑being of transgender youth, the data offers a measure of reassurance that violent threats are decreasing. At the same time, the ongoing legislative battles underscore the importance of protecting parental rights and religious liberty, core values championed by many community leaders.
As the conversation continues, both sides agree that accurate data is essential for informed policy decisions. The Boston Globe op‑ed serves as a reminder that, despite heated rhetoric, the numbers show a tangible improvement in safety for transgender individuals during the current administration.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
