CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten says new polling shows that Americans significantly prefer President Donald Trump’s handling of crime compared to former President Joe Biden’s approach, reflecting a rising national concern about public safety and urban violence.

Enten noted that Trump has seen a steady improvement in his ratings on crime since leaving office. While his crime approval numbers were 13 points underwater during his first term, they have since climbed into positive territory. According to data highlighted by The Charlotte Observer, Trump reached a net approval of +1 on crime in August 2025. By contrast, Biden’s numbers from 2024 lagged far behind, sinking to -26 — a stark 27-point difference.

Discussing the trend, Enten emphasized how deeply unpopular Biden’s crime performance had become during his presidency. “Back in 2024, look where Biden’s net approval was on crime,” Enten explained. “He was far underwater at minus 26 points. It was one of his worst areas, though to be fair, a lot of issues were tough for him.” In comparison, Trump’s current numbers sit “way, way, way above Joe Biden,” he continued. To Enten, the data reflects a broader sentiment: Americans remain “far more hawkish on crime than Democrats want to admit.”

Enten also pointed out that Trump’s recent boost in crime approval isn’t happening in a vacuum. Although the polling doesn’t directly reflect the current political tension in Washington, D.C., he said it does capture the public’s reactions to events earlier in the year — including high-profile incidents in Los Angeles. What stands out in the data, Enten added, is that crime remains one of Trump’s strongest issues, and one he is eager to spotlight because voters respond favorably to his message.

Democratic commentators have cautioned their own party about dismissing voter anxiety over crime. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews recently warned Democrats against using technical explanations to downplay people’s lived experiences. “You can’t keep saying violent crime is down but the murder rate is up,” Matthews said. “To the average person, a murder is about life and death. You don’t brag about a rising murder rate. Democrats are falling into the trap of defending what’s indefensible.”

The Atlantic echoed those concerns, reporting that Washington, D.C. has wrestled with a severe and long-standing violence problem that will not improve without direct and focused intervention.

Amid these concerns, Trump has rolled out a sweeping federal anti-crime campaign in the capital, a move he claims is necessary to restore safety. The initiative has been embraced by several law enforcement leaders, though many Democratic officials have questioned both the methods used and the data being cited to justify federal intervention.

Authorities say the federal effort has already produced hundreds of arrests. Officials reported that in one night alone, law enforcement conducted 68 arrests, bringing the total since early August to more than 300. They also seized 15 illegal firearms. Arrests included charges ranging from assault on a police officer to aggravated assault. Additionally, three homeless encampments were cleared — reportedly without any arrests made during the removals.

In a statement, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers argued that the operation is achieving immediate results. “In less than ten days, over 300 dangerous criminals have already been arrested and taken off the streets of Washington, D.C.,” Rogers said. “President Trump is delivering on his campaign promise to clean up this city and restore American Greatness to our cherished capital.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that message, praising the work of federal and local officers. She noted that the ongoing arrests include homicide suspects and drug traffickers. “I’ll continue to stand with you as we make D.C. safe again,” Bondi added.

Meanwhile, early data from the first week after the White House assumed control of the D.C. police force — and after federal agents and National Guard troops were deployed — suggests mixed but noticeable changes in crime trends. A CNN review of government statistics found that property crime dropped by roughly 19 percent compared to the week before the takeover. Violent crime also fell by 17 percent during the same period.

However, the picture becomes more complicated when breaking down specific types of crimes. Robbery and auto break-ins saw declines of more than 40 percent. Theft stayed mostly unchanged. Meanwhile, burglaries rose about 6 percent, and assaults with a dangerous weapon jumped by 14 percent. Two homicides occurred during the week — consistent with earlier trends — but no killings have been reported since August 13. There was also a significant rise in immigration-related arrests during the same period, reflecting one of the federal initiative’s most controversial components.

As public debate continues, crime remains a key issue that voters say influences their political choices — and one that appears to be giving Trump a decisive edge.