Trump calls Democrats ‘soft on crime,’ says policies favor criminals over Americans
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of Democrats on Sunday, February 1, accusing them of being “soft on crime” and prioritizing criminals over American citizens.
The remarks were posted on Truth Social amid ongoing protests and federal law enforcement challenges in several Democrat-led cities. Trump’s comments reflect his broader effort to push crime and public safety to the forefront of his messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The biggest problem our Country has is that the Democrats are SOFT ON CRIME! They want to protect the Criminal, violent and vicious as they may be, at the expense of our great American Citizens and Patriots. That is not what America is about, and never will be! President DJT
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) February 2, 2026
Trump criticizes Democrats on law-and-order policies
In his post, Trump argued that Democratic leaders support policies that shield violent offenders instead of focusing on the safety of law-abiding Americans. He claimed these approaches have worsened public safety conditions in major US cities.
Trump again targeted Democratic-run sanctuary cities, including those in California, Minnesota, New York, and Illinois. According to him, such cities have allowed what he described as “insurrectionist” protesters to interfere with federal immigration enforcement, fueling disorder and unrest.
The comments followed protests against federal immigration enforcement efforts, particularly in Minneapolis, where demonstrations escalated amid broader tensions over immigration policy.
Trump outlines limits on federal response to unrest
In a separate social media post on Saturday, Trump reiterated guidance he said he issued to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He stated that federal forces would not intervene in poorly managed protests or riots in Democrat-controlled cities unless state or local governments formally requested assistance.
Trump stressed that protecting state and local property is the responsibility of local officials. He added that federal authorities would serve as a backup force to protect federal buildings, parks, and other federal assets.
Referring to unrest during the final months of President Joe Biden’s term, Trump said local governments had previously been warned to take responsibility for maintaining order.
Trump pushes crime as midterm campaign focus
Trump has increasingly made crime a central part of his political agenda, encouraged by polling that shows voters view big-city crime as a major concern. White House advisers say Trump believes the issue has created a political opening for Republicans ahead of the midterms.
During an August 2025 Cabinet meeting, Trump underscored the political importance of the issue, saying crime would be a dominant topic in upcoming elections and predicting strong Republican performance.
Public opinion data appears to support that view. A YouGov poll conducted in August 2025 found that 89 percent of Americans believe crime in US cities is a problem, while more than half said crime has increased since 2020.
Democratic strategist Basil Smikle acknowledged the perception challenge for Democrats but argued that crime reductions have also come from community-led responses, not just policing. He said Democrats need to better communicate those efforts to counter Republican attacks.
Trump’s remarks came amid heightened protests against a federal crackdown on illegal immigration and following the fatal shooting of two American citizens, intensifying the national debate over crime and public safety.
