During the Senate Judiciary Committee’s annual FBI oversight hearing, Director Kash Patel told lawmakers that the bureau and its partners have achieved what he described as the “largest year‑to‑year reduction of violent crime in American history.” Patel’s prepared opening remarks, obtained by Fox News Digital, emphasized a series of law‑enforcement successes that he attributes to the Trump administration’s backing.
Violent‑crime numbers show sharp decline
According to the Uniform Crime Report for 2025, the national murder rate fell about 20% over the previous 18 months. At the same time, arrests for violent crimes rose 90%, and arrests of violent criminals and gang members increased 30%.
Counter‑terrorism and fugitive captures
Patel noted that the FBI disrupted a planned ISIS‑linked attack near Pittsburgh, where a suspect had purchased a firearm and posted online about his intent. He said a total of 1,039 individuals were prevented from carrying out terrorist attacks, and more than 4,260 arrests were tied to foreign terrorist organizations.
In addition, the bureau captured Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre in Venezuela, adding him to the “Ten Most Wanted” list. Patel claimed the FBI has now apprehended ten fugitives from that list—more than two‑and‑a‑half times the number captured during the prior four years combined.
Drug seizures and child‑victim protection
The statement highlighted the seizure of over 3,258 kilograms of fentanyl, the identification of roughly 11,000 child victims, and the arrest of more than 5,000 child predators and human traffickers.
Technology, efficiency and budget savings
Patel praised the bureau’s use of artificial intelligence, saying its deployment grew 605% to speed threat detection, triage, analysis and processing. He also announced that the FBI eliminated a multi‑year backlog of 1.8 million lab samples and saved more than $300 million through spending and facilities reviews.
Further internal reforms shifted over 1,000 agents and staff to field operations and opened a new field office in Billings, Montana, as part of an expansion into Indian Country under Operation Steadfast Promise.
Administration support cited as key factor
Patel repeatedly credited the Trump administration, stating the agency could not have achieved these results without its support. He described the current administration as one that “backs the blue” and has rebuilt the FBI to “crush violent threats before they harm Americans.”
The hearing will continue with additional oversight questions, but Patel’s remarks aim to showcase a record‑shattering period of public‑safety achievements that align with the administration’s law‑and‑order priorities.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
