Trump touts crime drop in LI speech, while hailing Blakeman

President Donald Trump used Nassau County’s police training complex Friday to tout a national drop in violent crimes while also rallying support for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial bid.

Trump, speaking at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Uniondale, praised Blakeman, a close ally, while taking jabs at Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Democrats during a speech lasting more than one hour.

“We’ve got to get Bruce in there,” Trump said to the animated crowd, describing Blakeman as “a friend of mine for a long time.”

The event, billed by White House officials as being focused on the administration’s law enforcement efforts, mirrored the feel of a Trump campaign rally, as he took aim at longtime Democratic foes and also invited Blakeman and Long Island’s Republican congressional candidates to join him onstage.

“We are so honored to have President Trump join with us here today,” Blakeman said, standing next to Trump. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart. … Thank you, Mr. President, for sealing our borders.”

Trump, joined by his top law enforcement officers — Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel — hailed the FBI’s latest criminal statistics report. He said the United States has achieved "the single largest reduction in violent crime in American history," with 3,100 fewer murders in 2025 than the year before. 

National law enforcement experts note that violent crimes have been on a steady decline since the pandemic.

Trump credited Blakeman with Nassau being named the safest county in the United States. The designation, bestowed annually by the outlet U.S. News & World Report, predates Blakeman and was first given to Nassau under former County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat.

And he took aim at Hochul for supporting what he called "sanctuary" policies that limit cooperation between state agencies and federal immigration enforcement agencies, as the state moves ahead with a new law banning agencies in Nassau and other counties from deputizing local officers to carry out immigration enforcement.

"She thinks the sanctuary cities are wonderful," Trump said.

Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki, in a statement to Newsday after the event, highlighted Blakeman’s close relationship with Trump. Friday’s event comes as a recent Siena University poll shows a tightening race between Blakeman and Hochul, even as Trump's support continues to dip.

“Donald Trump said it himself: he and Bruce Blakeman are united against Gov. Hochul holding rogue ICE agents accountable, putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets at every opportunity and investing billions to bring down crime, while Blakeman let it hit decade highs,” Radulovacki said.

Last year, Nassau recorded 1,513 violent crimes, down from 1,744 in 2024, according to FBI data. 

Democrats protest

As Trump supporters eagerly awaited his arrival inside the police complex, just blocks away Democrats protested in a free-speech zone designated by the county.

Hochul’s running mate, former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, called on the more-than-100 protesters to speak out against Trump's agenda, including denying temporary protected status to Haitians living in the United States and cuts to Medicaid.

"That fight starts right here in moments like these, when we speak up and reject Donald Trump and Bruce Blakeman's extremism," Adams said. "Because Bruce Blakeman isn't just backing Trump; he is his loudest cheerleader."

New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, who also heads the Nassau Democratic committee, issued a statement hours before Trump’s arrival, accusing him and Blakeman of “failing this state.”

"Trump’s agenda is Blakeman’s agenda: the same cruel healthcare cuts, the same skyrocketing costs, and the same attacks on our public safety," Jacobs said.

Republicans revel

Trump’s supporters were eager to display their support, many waiting in line for hours and wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again" hats or custom-designed outfits like a bedazzled “ICE ICE Baby” jacket.

Christine Dellacona, 59, a legal secretary from Massapequa, said she was "never interested in politics until [Trump] came on the scene."

"I just love that he's not a politician, he's authentic, he's not afraid to say what he's thinking," said Dellacona.

Edward X. Young, 67, traveled from Brick, New Jersey, for what he said would be his 118th Trump event.

“A Trump rally is the greatest show on earth,” Young said. “Not only is he the perfect man for the job, but he's a great entertainer.”

Trump, who faces a tough midterm election season as he contends with record-low polling numbers, touched on the tight races, including those on Long Island.

“If you said, ‘Would you rather have Bruce Blakeman win, or all of your congresspeople?’ I don't know, Bruce. I think I'm gonna have to give you up. I might have to take the congresspeople. It's so important,” Trump said.

GOP slate

Former state lawmaker Mike LiPetri, who is running against Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), credited Trump with giving America its “swagger back.” Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine C. Driscoll, who is looking to unseat Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre), thanked Trump for energizing the party.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who is facing a challenge from Democratic former Suffolk County Executive Pat Halpin, and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), who is opposed by Democrat Chris Gallant, a Black Hawk pilot and volunteer firefighter, also joined Trump onstage.

Though he was physically miles away, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was a central character at Friday’s event, as Trump and local GOP speakers sought to align the democratic socialist with the Democratic Party at large. 

“Nowhere is the communist attack on American society more clear than in New York State,” Trump said.

Political analysts have said focusing on Mamdani helped drive the highest voter turnout in a decade last November in Nassau.

The attacks on Mamdani came even as he and Trump have shared a cordial relationship, with the mayor meeting with Trump at the White House twice, and Trump telling reporters he has spoken with Mamdani by phone several times, even though he disagrees with his policies.

The president wrapped up his remarks in his former home state by telling the crowd: “Nassau County, the golden age of America is upon us.”

He then departed aboard an Osprey helicopter and headed to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club for the weekend.