FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the first seven months of Operation Summer Heat, launched under the Trump administration, have yielded historic crime-fighting results. At a White House press conference, President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Patel detailed the operation’s success.
Trump highlighted that the FBI arrested over 23,000 violent criminals since his administration began—more than double the arrests made in the final year of the Biden administration. He also noted the disruption of more than 170 organized criminal enterprises and gangs, the confiscation of over 6,000 illegal firearms, and the capture of four of the nation’s top 10 most wanted criminals.
Patel reported that in just three months, Operation Summer Heat led to 8,700 violent criminal arrests, the seizure of 2,200 firearms, 421 kilograms of fentanyl, and 45,000 kilograms of cocaine. The fentanyl seized was enough to kill more than 5,500 people. The operation secured 2,100 criminal indictments between June and September.
Attorney General Bondi credited Trump for removing restrictions that hindered law enforcement, allowing agents to act decisively. She praised FBI staff for their tireless work and highlighted a recent Memphis operation where nearly 70 arrests were made in one night.
Trump also mentioned plans to expand federal operations to San Francisco to combat crime there. When questioned about using the military against drug smugglers on high-speed boats, Trump explained that the Coast Guard couldn’t intercept these vessels, saying, “Some of these boats are world-class speedboats, but they’re not faster than missiles.” He emphasized his commitment to ensuring all Americans live safely.