President Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel just gave us some big news, and it’s the kind of news that makes every American who cares about law and order stand a little taller. Over the past seven months, more than 28,000 violent criminals have been arrested across all 50 states. That includes some of the nation’s most wanted fugitives. This is the result of a massive effort called Operation Summer Heat, launched to take back our streets from criminals, drug dealers, and predators.
As a veteran, I’ve seen what chaos looks like in other parts of the world. I’ve walked through towns where lawlessness ruled and people were afraid to leave their homes. That’s not what America should ever become. And thanks to this administration, we’re not going to let it happen here.
President Trump made it clear—he’s not standing by while violent crime surges in our cities. Summer is usually the worst season for crime, but not this year. Under Trump’s leadership, law enforcement hit hard and fast. No press releases. No TV cameras. Just quiet, precise action. The kind of work that gets results without giving criminals time to run.
This wasn’t just the FBI. Over 20 different federal agencies joined forces. They worked side-by-side with local and state law enforcement. In some places, the National Guard stepped in to help, especially in cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and Portland. These Guardsmen—many of them veterans like me—stood tall to protect innocent Americans from drug dealers, violent gangs, and predators.
Let’s talk numbers. Over 8,000 violent criminals were taken off the streets in big cities, and arrests in some places jumped by more than 250%. That’s not a small win. That’s a major victory.
And it’s not just about arrests. These efforts saved lives. Agents rescued 5,400 missing or trafficked children. Children who were lost, taken, or abused—now safe and on the path to healing. If you ask me, that alone makes every ounce of effort worth it.
Fentanyl was also a big target. The federal government seized nearly 2,000 kilograms of this deadly drug. That’s enough fentanyl to kill over 127 million people. Think about that. This poison is being pushed into our communities, and the people doing it don’t care who dies. But now, thanks to the brave men and women in law enforcement, a huge chunk of that poison is off the streets.
Weapons were another focus. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives removed over 25,000 illegal firearms from the hands of criminals. These weren’t hunting rifles or legal self-defense weapons. These were guns used in crimes—held by people who shouldn’t have them in the first place. This is what real gun control looks like: go after the criminals, not law-abiding citizens.
Attorney General Pam Bondi shared one case that hit especially hard. A 70-year-old man in Memphis was arrested for allegedly raping a child under three years old. That’s the kind of evil we’re up against. And that’s why this fight matters.
President Trump isn’t done. He’s signed seven executive orders to keep this momentum going. He’s promising more action, more federal support, and more boots on the ground where they’re needed most.
As someone who’s worn the uniform, I know what it means to serve and protect. And right now, we’ve got a Commander-in-Chief who’s doing exactly that. He’s protecting our cities. He’s fighting for our kids. He’s standing up against the evil that’s been allowed to fester for far too long.
This is what leadership looks like. This is what justice feels like. And it’s only the beginning.
