president Donald Trump Defended federal law enforcement efforts in Minneapolis, saying crime dropped sharply after he said “thousands of criminals” were purged from the city.

In an interview with NBC News’ Tom Llamas that aired Sunday, Trump said crime in Minneapolis was down 30 percent, which he attributed to increased law enforcement.

“Minnesota Crime Numbers especially minneapolisdown 25, 30 percent because we’ve removed thousands of criminals from the area. “These are hardened criminals… most of them are coming in through open borders, and we’re doing a great job,” Trump said. “

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President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on February 2, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump mentioned other major cities where he said his administration has achieved great results in fighting crime.

“have a look washington d.c.,” Trump said. “It’s like a safe city. You can walk to the White House. You don’t have to ride in an armored vehicle. “

The president also cited New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, as examples.

“Look at what happened in Louisiana,” Trump said. “I got a call from the governor, ‘Please do something for New Orleans.’ We went there four weeks ago and crime dropped 71 percent.”

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A federal agent prepares to leave the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on February 4, 2026. (John Moore/Getty Images)

“(exist) Memphis, Tennesseecrime dropped by 80% after five weeks. “

Trump says the trend reflects his administration’s success Tough on crime.

“Crime in this country is historically at an all-time low,” Trump said. “…We have fewer murders than we have in decades. You know why? Because we’re tough on crime.”

Earlier this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said murders in major U.S. cities fell to their lowest levels since at least 1900 as federal arrests, gang busts and deportations surged amid Trump’s pledge to “restore law and order.”

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Border Czar Tom Homan visits “Varney & Company” airing January 13, 2026 on Fox Business Network in New York. (Noam Galay/Getty Images)

Trump also told NBC News of his decision to withdraw hundreds of federal law enforcement officers from Minneapolis after two Minneapolis residents were shot and killed last month, and said the Department of Homeland Security could “take some softer measures.”

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On Wednesday, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that about 700 federal agents would be leaving the Twin Cities, targeting a “total drawdown.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch, Ashley Oliver and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.