The FBI has quietly revised its 2022 crime statistics, updating the data to reflect a 4.5% increase after initially reporting a 2.1% decrease. This revision, indicating increases of 1,699 murders, 7,780 rapes, 33,459 robberies, and 37,091 aggravated assaults, was not publicly announced in the FBI’s press releases.
Critics argue that such substantial revisions without clear explanations damage trust in the FBI’s data accuracy. The lack of transparency echoes past controversies over revised government statistics, prompting calls for the FBI to clarify its data reporting processes.
This issue has been politicized, with some stating it vindicates former President Trump’s claims about rising crime rates while undermining previous claims by Democrats that crime rates were decreasing under the Biden-Harris administration.
During the last presidential debate, ABC moderator David Muir used the now provably inaccurate FBI stats to fact-check Trump’s claims. The network has not yet issued a correction to this inaccurate information.
Three weeks before an election — and after the debates — FBI revises their crime statistics — showing crime increased by 4.5% in 2022 instead of dropping 2.1%.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 16, 2024
Here is ABC’s David Muir “fact checking” Trump in front of millions of viewers with lies that will never be retracted. pic.twitter.com/3N88pjn4g4
FBI crime data just released shows us exactly what we all said about crime during this administration it’s up up up!! Just like the job numbers and economic statistics the crime numbers have been manipulated to fit the narrative. We knew the truth but boy it feels good to see… pic.twitter.com/UJ4YJLXYS8
— TheDaddyTwins (@TheDaddyTwins) October 16, 2024