President Donald Trump discusses tax refunds, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's departure and the drop in violent crime.

The 119th Congress will be remembered as a decisive turning point for American safety and security. By electing Republicans to the majority in 2024, voters rejected the leftist ideals of defunding the police, abolishing prisons and supporting violent criminals over victims. In turn, Republicans have led a resurgence in commonsense crime-fighting legislation, supported by the historic confirmation pace of judicial and executive nominees who interpret and enforce the law.

National security is the No. 1 responsibility of the federal government. The previous administration abdicated this duty by promoting soft-on-crime policies that left the American people with emboldened criminals, struggling police departments and Soros-backed district attorneys who refused to prosecute murderers, rapists and child abusers.

But where Democratic leadership failed, Republicans in the 119th Congress have delivered. Republicans’ renewed focus on fighting crime, championing law enforcement and protecting American families has coincided with the largest drop in violent crime ever recorded in the United States.

Murder and robbery declined approximately 20% from 2024 to 2025. And according to the Council on Criminal Justice’s midyear report, 2026 is on track to meet, if not exceed, 2025’s historic drop in crime.

The Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force launched in August 2025 with a mission to take violent criminals off the streets of the nation’s capital. President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in D.C., and the federal law enforcement surge began shortly after. (U.S. Marshals Service)

America is the safest it’s been in a century.

TODD BLANCHE 'HONORED AND HUMBLED' BY TRUMP'S AG NOMINATION AFTER EXPLOSIVE WEEK OF FEDERAL ARRESTS

This Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been at the epicenter of Republicans’ crime-fighting agenda. As chairman, I’m proud to have ushered major pieces of public safety legislation through the committee, including the passage of my "HALT Fentanyl Act" to crack down on deadly fentanyl knockoffs, the "Secure America Act" to fund law enforcement and border security measures, and numerous bills that back the blue.

I’ve also led the confirmation of key Department of Justice leaders who have refocused federal efforts on protecting Americans, including Attorney General Todd Blanche. At the same time, I’ve processed and advanced President Donald Trump’s law-and-order judicial nominees at the fastest pace since the Reagan administration.

CARGO THEFT HITS EVERYTHING FROM LEGO TO TEQUILA. WE NEED THE SENATE TO HELP STOP IT

With less than six months left in the 119th Congress, my work as Judiciary Committee chairman is moving full steam ahead. I’m keeping my nose to the grindstone to continue confirming Trump’s nominees to keep our streets safe.

I’m also pushing a landmark nationwide crime package to protect children from online exploitation, crack down on organized retail crime, combat the spread of illicit xylazine and stem the flow of contraband in federal prisons.

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This bipartisan legislation has garnered widespread support from major child safety, law enforcement and technology groups, as well as the Trump administration. It’s imperative that this package is signed into law as part of the "National Defense Authorization Act."

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I’ve approached my responsibilities this Congress as a husband, father and grandparent who wants every American family to be safe from crime. I’ve worked hard to do just that, and I’m proud of Republicans’ achievements in delivering lasting security for generations to come.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY 

Republican Chuck Grassley represents Iowa in the United States Senate. 

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