Will ABC issue an apology?
Under the Harris-Biden administration, violent crime has surged, according to the latest Department of Justice data released this past Friday. This stands in stark contrast to ABC News debate moderator David Muir’s recent correction of former President Donald Trump during his heated debate with Kamala Harris on Tuesday.
The DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Statistics survey reveals a troubling increase in self-reported violent crime over the past six months, which includes incidents that may not have been reported to the police. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reports a rise in violent crimes—such as rape, robbery, and aggravated assault—from 5.6 per 1,000 people in 2020 to 8.7 per 1,000 in 2023. Notably, 2022 saw even higher rates, peaking at 9.8 instances per 1,000.
Specifically, rape rates climbed from 1.2 per 1,000 in 2020 to 1.7 in 2023, robbery increased from 1.6 per 1,000 to 2.6, and aggravated assault rose from 2.9 per 1,000 to 4.5. This data contradicts Muir’s assertion during the debate that violent crime was declining, as suggested by the 2024 quarterly FBI report, which does not account for unreported crimes and only includes data from 72% of law enforcement agencies.
Following the DOJ’s release, Trump seized the opportunity to highlight this discrepancy. At a press conference in California, he pointedly recalled Muir’s attempt to correct him. “It’s clear that the DOJ’s data vindicates my earlier statements,” Trump remarked, taking a decisive stand against the current administration’s crime policies.
Additionally, the NCVS shows an increase in other crime metrics since 2019, including stranger violence and violent crime involving weapons. Motor vehicle thefts have also risen significantly.
John Lott, a former senior adviser for research and statistics at the Justice Department, explained the discrepancy between FBI and DOJ numbers. He noted that the decline in reported crimes might be due to decreased law enforcement numbers in major cities and emphasized that the NCVS captures crimes that are not reported to police.
On Friday, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt demanded an apology from Muir for his inaccurate debate correction. “This new data confirms that President Trump was correct,” Leavitt stated. “Violent crime is escalating, and Kamala Harris’s policies are exacerbating the problem. With another four years of her weak-on-crime approach, America will continue its downward spiral into chaos. Only President Trump can restore safety and order. For the safety of all Americans, vote Trump.”