Trump leans on crime drop as Iran tensions and staff exits cloud White House week

In the latest briefing, the White House touted a historic reduction in violent crime—homicides down 18% and other violent offenses nearly 50%—as President Trump readies a New York rally centered on public safety ahead of the midterms. Critics noted that most credit belongs to red-state governors, while blue-state crime rates are rising. Foreign policy remained fraught: Trump stepped back from Iran negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a 15-point Gaza withdrawal proposal, and a new mutual-defense treaty among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signaled doubts about the U.S. strategy.

A bizarre episode saw Trump smuggled off Air Force One in a catering truck to avoid an alleged Iranian assassination threat. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy national security adviser Andy Baker announced their departures, and Canada warned it might exit USMCA talks if the United States proceeds with 50% tariffs on Canadian products. Political commentators Jed Babbin and John Zogby gave the president grades of C- and D, respectively, reflecting the mixed domestic and international picture.