Back from near death, Giuliani takes aim at Obama-era US security and backs Trump

Rudy Giuliani said US national security weakened under Barack Obama after officials stopped naming extremist threats directly
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani praised President Donald Trump for strengthening US security, saying, 'Trump bolstered it for four years' (Getty Images)
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani praised President Donald Trump for strengthening US security, saying, 'Trump bolstered it for four years' (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had recently been admitted to the hospital with severe health issues, claimed on Sunday, May 17, that US security had "deteriorated terribly" under the Obama presidency. 

Appearing on Newsmax’s ‘Saturday Report,’ Rudy Giuliani argued that US national security began weakening during the Barack Obama administration after officials stopped directly identifying extremist threats, adding, “we’ve been deteriorating terribly.”

Rudy Giuliani says Obama admin compromised national security

Giuliani argued while discussing the arrest of an alleged Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard-linked operative accused of plotting attacks in Europe, Canada, and New York.

Giuliani said the counterterrorism efforts by the US were strongest in the years immediately following the September 11 attacks.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference h
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference held by President Donald Trump in the Briefing Room of the White House on September 27, 2020, in Washington, DC (Joshua Roberts/Getty Images)

“There was a period after 9/11 where our security was the best in the world,” he said.

“People were always asking me, ‘Are we safer now since 9/11?’ I said, ‘You have no idea how safe we are’, because they wouldn’t hear about all the attacks. We were sending them off left and right,” he added.

Rudy Giuliani credits Trump for strengthening national security

Former New York City mayor appreciated President Donald Trump for strengthening the US’ security, saying, "Trump bolstered it for four years.” He further stressed that the recent success of law enforcement reflects that the country is improving again.

President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

“It does show how good we are at catching,” he said. “We’ve improved immensely, and I don’t know if we’re back, we’re almost back to where we were in the post-9/11 [era].” 

Earlier in the interview, Giuliani also spoke about his health, saying he believes he is “100% recovered.” 

“I’m [in] really, really good shape,” he said while thanking Newsmax hosts and staff for their support during his recovery.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11, 2001:  (SEPTEMBER 11 RETROSPECTIVE) Smoke pours from the twin towers of the
Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners on September 11, 2001, in New York City (Robert Giroux/Getty Images)

Rudy Giuliani claims 'spiritual intervention' in coma

Rudy Giuliani, on May 13, revealed that he had a “very significant spiritual experience” while battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia that put him in a coma.

The 81-year-old former mayor explained that during his time in the hospital, he felt he was “headed for a trial by St Peter” before receiving a message from a late friend.

(Getty Images)
Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday, May 13, revealed that he had a 'very significant spiritual experience' while battling a life-threatening case of pneumonia (Getty Images)

"I also had a very, very significant spiritual experience at a time in which I was in a state of like … out of it," Giuliani told his audience during his first broadcast of “America’s Mayor Live!” since his health scare. 

"I would equate it to a dream of my being on line headed for, I can't say headed for heaven, headed for a trial by St Peter,” he added.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The findings are part of a broader anti-fraud effort spanning the federal government
2 hours ago
Trump warned NYC's rent freeze would turn buildings into 'ghettos and slums,' push residents out, and accelerate the city's decline
3 hours ago
The criticism came after Vance argued Watergate would be only a '12-hour news story' in today's political and media environment
4 hours ago
Bill Maher suggested his 2028 vote could shift after JD Vance discussed party direction, policy debates and concerns during an appearance on ‘Real Time’
4 hours ago
The remarks came a day after NYC’s Rent Guidelines Board voted 7-1 to freeze rents on roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments for the first time
5 hours ago
Trump previously canceled a planned signing ceremony, saying lawmakers must first pass the unrelated SAVE Act
5 hours ago
Trump also described John Bolton as 'a very dumb, unbalanced, and unskilled former representative of the United States of America'
5 hours ago
The commemorative passport was first announced in April as part of nationwide celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary
8 hours ago
Adam Kinzinger's prediction came as he launched the Back the Bold PAC to support candidates who oppose the Trump administration
8 hours ago
JD Vance said Iran should "pick up the phone" if it disputes the ceasefire memorandum, while Iranian officials accused Washington of violating the agreement
8 hours ago