President issues statement on National Gang Violence Prevention Week
During National Gang Violence Prevention Week, the President expressed condolences to families affected by gang violence and emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing this issue. "This National Gang Violence Prevention Week, we send our heartfelt prayers and unwavering support to every family who has suffered from the evils of gang violence. We solemnly pay tribute to the precious lives stolen from us by criminals and thugs who have no right to be in our country. Above all, we reaffirm our commitment to arresting and removing all bloodthirsty gang members, cartels, and drug traffickers from our streets and making America safe again," the President said.
The statement criticized policies of the previous administration regarding border security. "Under the previous administration, gangs and cartels were unleashed into our country through a wide-open southern border, bringing waves of brutality, death, and destruction never seen before in our Nation’s history. Dangerous gangs like Tren de Aragua roamed our streets freely, terrorizing countless communities and claiming the lives of far too many innocent Americans," he stated.
The President described actions taken since taking office on January 20, 2025: "This unthinkable betrayal of the American people ended on January 20, 2025. Upon taking office, I immediately declared a National Emergency at our southern border and designated the deadly MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations to bring their reign of lawlessness and evil to an end." He added that his administration had initiated "the largest mass deportation operation in American history—removing thousands of violent gang members from our communities."
He also referenced new legislation: "Earlier this year, I also signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill, which secures historic funding for hundreds of miles of new border wall and for Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers, empowering them to track down, arrest, and deport dangerous illegal alien criminals and dismantle drug and human trafficking networks."
The message concluded with recognition for law enforcement: "This week, our Nation remembers the victims and supports the families that have fallen victim to gang violence. We extend our sincere gratitude and support to the heroic men and women of American law enforcement who are working tirelessly to rid our streets of these vicious criminals. Under my leadership, we are restoring law and order to America’s cities, reestablishing our national sovereignty, and ensuring that our children, families, and communities can live out their American dream free from gang violence."
