evidence: Statement from President Joe Biden on Record Declines in Crime When Vice President Harris and I took office, our nation had just seen the highest increase in murders ever recorded under the previous Administration. Immediately, we got to work – passing the American Rescue Plan that led to the largest ever federal investment in public safety. Today, new data submitted to the FBI confirms again that Americans are safer than when we took office. In 2023, according to the data, our nation saw the largest ever one-year decrease in the homicide rate, which is now 16% below its level in 2020. Violent crime also declined again and is at a near 50-year low. In 2024, this progress is continuing, with notable decreases in crime. [...] We’re not stopping now. The only way to continue this progress is by investing in what works. That’s why I will continue to urge Congress to fund 100,000 additional police officers and a strong ATF, invest in community violence intervention programs, and make commonsense gun safety reforms, including a ban on assault weapons.