CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, noted on Tuesday that many Americans think President Donald Trump is handling crime more effectively than former President Joe Biden.
Trump is set to announce plans to reopen Alcatraz, labeling future facilities as “symbols of law, order, and justice” in a post on Sunday. Enten remarked that Trump’s emphasis on Alcatraz underscores his reputation for dealing with crime. It aligns well with his brand, as the public associates him with law and order.
“This taps into one of Trump’s strong suits, right? When you think of law and order, Trump comes to mind,” he mentioned. “Interestingly, he has a positive rating—plus two points—according to recent polls.” He continued to say that Trump campaigned on law and order, which contributed to his election, and Americans currently seem more inclined to hear his stance on crime.
Analysts have observed that Trump’s handling of crime is viewed more favorably now compared to his first term. “When we compare ratings from Trump’s first term to his second, we find that his net approval on crime has risen to plus two points. In contrast, his approval in March 2024 was at a staggering -13 points, which indicates a 15-point improvement in public perception regarding his crime policies,” Enten explained.
“When Trump references Alcatraz, it might come off as trivial for some, but it effectively draws public focus to issues where he feels he can gain traction,” he added, highlighting the significance of the narrative in shaping voter opinions.
Additionally, the Trump administration re-established the Immigrant Crime Engagement (Voice) office in April, according to a statement exclusively shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation. The Biden administration had closed the office shortly after taking over in 2021. This office provides essential support for crime victims within immigrant communities.
Following the closure of this office and the challenges at the border, there have been reports of illegal immigrants involved in high-profile crimes during Biden’s presidency.
Documents revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made significant arrests of immigrants with previous criminal records during the first 100 days of Trump’s administration.
