Trump backs local police in new executive order, rebukes Democrat crime policies that sowed 'chaos' across US

Fox News - Apr 28th, 2025
Open on Fox News

President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order that bolsters local police departments with federal resources, countering what he describes as left-wing 'soft-on-crime' policies that have led to chaos and fear among Americans. The order, expected to be signed on Monday, instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to enhance legal and financial support for law enforcement, increase military asset availability for crime prevention, and ensure racial discrimination investigations in policing rely on direct evidence. This move aims to empower state and local law enforcement to tackle high-impact crimes and support officers against unjust legal expenses.

The executive order comes in response to the crime surge that began in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread protests following George Floyd's death. It marks a significant shift in federal policy aimed at reversing defunding trends and addressing the perceived lawlessness in urban areas. The implications of this order are profound, potentially altering the landscape of American policing and impacting the ongoing debate over law enforcement reform. As Trump aligns this action with his 'Make America Safe Again' 2024 campaign promise, it underscores the political weight of crime and policing in upcoming elections.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant discussion of President Trump's upcoming executive order supporting local police departments. It effectively highlights key aspects of the order and its context within broader crime policy debates. However, the story exhibits some limitations in accuracy due to a lack of direct access to the executive order's text and reliance on a narrow range of sources. The article's balance is affected by its focus on a single perspective, with limited representation of opposing views. While the language and structure are clear, the inclusion of unrelated content detracts from the main narrative. Overall, the article serves as a useful starting point for understanding the executive order but would benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and balanced perspectives to fully inform readers.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents a mix of verified and unverified claims. It accurately reports on President Trump's expected executive order aimed at supporting local police departments, as confirmed by similar reports and the general direction of Trump's policies. However, the article lacks direct access to the actual text of the executive order, which is essential for verifying specific provisions, such as the role of Attorney General Pam Bondi and the exact measures to be implemented. The claim about a 30% increase in murders in 2020 aligns with widely reported FBI data, but the article does not provide a direct citation. Additionally, the assertion that 'soft-on-crime policies' have caused chaos lacks empirical support within the text, relying instead on general expert opinions without detailed studies or data. These gaps suggest that while the story is grounded in some facts, it requires further verification for full accuracy.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents a perspective aligned with law-and-order policies and criticisms of left-wing approaches to crime. It emphasizes the negative impacts of 'soft-on-crime' policies and supports Trump's executive order without offering substantial counterarguments or perspectives from those who advocate for police reform or alternative justice approaches. The inclusion of expert opinions that support the narrative without presenting contrasting views suggests a lack of balance. The story could benefit from including voices from criminal justice reform advocates or data that might contradict the suggested causality between policy changes and crime rates.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a coherent narrative about the executive order and its context. However, the inclusion of unrelated anecdotes, such as the student protest over a tampon, distracts from the main topic and could confuse readers. The article maintains a neutral tone but could improve in maintaining focus and ensuring that all included elements contribute directly to the story's main claims.

7
Source quality

The primary source for the article is Fox News Digital, which is known for a particular editorial stance. The article cites a senior White House official, providing some authority to the claims about the executive order. However, it lacks a diversity of sources, relying heavily on statements from government officials and experts aligned with the article's perspective. The absence of independent verification or citations from non-partisan sources limits the overall reliability and robustness of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context regarding the executive order and its intended effects, but it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology behind the claims. There is no detailed explanation of how the conclusions about crime rates and policy impacts were reached, nor is there a disclosure of potential conflicts of interest from the experts cited. The article would benefit from clearer explanations of the basis for its claims and more openness about the sources of information.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-backs-local-police-new-executive-order-rebukes-democrat-crime-policies-sowed-chaos-across-us
  2. https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025
  3. https://www.napo.org/washington-report/president-trump-signs-executive-orders-in-support-of-law-enforcement-public-safety/
  4. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-exempts-agencies-with-national-security-missions-from-federal-collective-bargaining-requirements/
  5. https://www.hklaw.com/en/general-pages/trumps-2025-executive-orders-chart