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Donald Trump to give speech on crime and safety during New York visit
Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. President Donald Trump is set to focus on his achievements regarding crime and safety during his upcoming trip to New York on Friday. This move comes as he aims to energize Republicans in key races leading up to the November midterms. Trump will be at the Nassau County Police Academy located in suburban Long Island, where he plans to unveil new FBI crime data indicating a drop in violent crime for 2025. “President Trump promised to make America safe again and the data proves he has done just that,” White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said. “Unlike Defund-the-Police Democrats, President Trump will always stand with our law enforcement officers and deliver safer American neighborhoods.” This visit aims to strengthen Republican candidates in competitive districts across his home state. However, it’s uncertain how much impact he’ll have given his low approval ratings and ongoing discontent over an unpopular war in Iran without an end in sight. Trump narrowly secured a win in Nassau County in 2024, flipping it for Republicans for the first time in over two decades. This area hosts two Democratic House seats that Republicans believe they can win this fall, along with being home turf for Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, the Trump-backed Republican challenging Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. In other developments: Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting a health insurance executive, is expected in federal court on Friday where he may plead guilty to stalking or similar charges. More details are available here. The conflict surrounding the future of the Kennedy Center intensified Thursday as President Donald Trump’s supporters on the board took measures to honor him through physical changes at the iconic performing arts venue that could go against a federal court ruling. The USS George Washington aircraft carrier has begun its journey toward the Middle East amid reports of mental health issues and supply shortages aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker is set to depart from the Trump administration soon, according to Axios on Friday. The White House did not respond outside business hours when asked for comments. The report remains unverified. Tropical Storm Lala formed Thursday over the Pacific Ocean and is predicted to become a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii’s Big Island, potentially bringing heavy rains and flooding this weekend. Forecasters expect rain across Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday along with high winds and dangerous surf conditions, according to the National Hurricane Center. Share Updated at 06.49 EDTSource link
