On October 16, 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel stated that during the seven months of the Trump administration, the number of arrests and prosecutions for Chinese espionage activities by the agency has increased by 50%.
On that day, Patel held a joint press conference at the Oval Office of the White House with President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. They announced the nationwide enforcement results of the operation code-named “Operation Summer Heat” and shared their views on issues such as diplomatic and judicial politicization.
Patel provided detailed data for the key achievements of the current government over the past seven months, describing it as the best numbers in U.S. history in combating crime.
Under the President’s leadership, FBI has intensified efforts to combat espionage activities of main adversaries:
– Arrests and prosecutions for Chinese espionage activities increased by 50%;
– Iranian espionage cases increased by 50%, and Russian espionage cases increased by 33%.
Moreover, the total number of arrests in counterterrorism operations so far this year has reached 125 individuals, exceeding last year’s 100 arrests.
Patel pointed out that due to the government’s policy of letting “good cops be cops,” law enforcement actions have shown significant results:
– Arrest of violent felons: FBI has apprehended over 28,600 violent felons in the seven months of the administration, nearly doubling the total arrests during the previous four years (around 15,000 to 17,000 people).
– Results of “Operation Summer Heat”: In three months, the operation led to the arrest of 8,700 violent criminals, seizure of 2,200 firearms, confiscation of 421 kilograms of fentanyl (enough to kill 55 million Americans), and 45,000 kilograms of cocaine.
– Recovery of missing children: 5,400 missing children have been located, representing a 30% increase compared to the same period in the previous administration.
– Gang and organized crime: Arrests of gang members increased by 210%; cross-border organized crime arrests rose by over 12%.
– Top ten fugitives: Four FBI top ten fugitives have been successfully apprehended in seven months, matching the total from the previous four-year administration.
President Trump attributed the enforcement achievements to the leadership of the new administration and blamed the unprecedented crime rates on the “stupid open border policy,” accusing other countries of “dumping” criminals, prisoners, and mentally ill individuals into the United States.
Regarding domestic security, he emphasized the success of the “Make D.C. Safe” special task force deployment and stated plans to expand similar actions to crime-stricken cities such as San Francisco and Chicago, aiming to make cities “virtually crime-free.”
On border and drug issues, the President indicated that naval operations have “almost completely halted” drug entry via sea routes and shifted focus to combating land-based smuggling, considering ground strikes against drug cartels.
President Trump condemned attacks from political opponents, labeling them as the “most severe weaponization of justice in world history.” He described the indictments by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith against him as part of a large-scale political crime.
He reiterated that the search of his estate at Sea Lake was an “illegal raid” and criticized the previous administration for using the judicial system to persecute his political allies and family members, emphasizing it worse than situations in any third-world “banana republic.”
Strongly criticizing Washington D.C. judges for giving lenient sentences to two young individuals involved in attacking a former House staffer, he believed such decisions by “radical left-wing judges” would foster future criminal behavior.
Regarding India and Russian oil, President Trump revealed that Indian Prime Minister Modi assured him that India would stop buying oil from Russia, seen as a crucial step to exert pressure on Russia. He credited preventing the potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan to his past tariffs and diplomatic pressure efforts.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Trump reiterated that the war “should not have happened” and believed hatred between the two leaders impedes the peace process. The U.S. is actively exploring alternative resolution options.
Concerning Gaza and hostages, he confirmed the return of all living hostages, ongoing body recovery efforts, and stated that Hamas agreed to surrender weapons. He believed direct U.S. military intervention in Gaza was unnecessary, as significant progress has been made through U.S. actions.