Trump Says Chicago Violence Has ‘Never Been Worse’. What the Data Shows
Official figures beg to differ with the President, and the Governor and Mayor have some sharp words.
President Donald Trump claimed on social media that violence in Chicago had "never been worse," following a weekend when at least 41 people were shot, three fatally. However, the Chicago Police Department's most recent data indicates a complex picture. While some violent crime measures have slightly increased from last year, most remain below recent years' levels.
For instance, murders rose 4% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to 2025, but were still 27% lower than in 2024, 33% lower than in 2023, and 37% lower than in 2022. Shooting incidents were down 2% year-over-year. Across the four violent offenses, police recorded 9,174 complaints in 2026, about 10% fewer than in 2025. Robbery dropped 24%, while criminal sexual assault decreased 4%, and aggravated battery remained nearly unchanged.
The city's crime data also shows that Chicago entered 2026 after a significant reduction in violence, with a 21% decline in 2025 compared to 2024, and a 29% drop in murders. Despite these trends, Trump's comments have been criticized, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson accusing him of defunding gun violence prevention efforts.
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