On February 20, 2025, I accepted the immense responsibility of leading the FBI as its Ninth Director. The year that followed was defined by relentless effort and, ultimately, by remarkable results – a period of unprecedented safety and security for the nation.
When I stood before the Senate, I made a clear promise: to refocus the FBI on its fundamental purpose – to aggressively combat violent crime, defend our homeland, and restore the public’s trust. This wasn’t simply rhetoric; it became the driving force behind every decision, every operation, and every reform.
The numbers tell a powerful story. From 2024 to 2025, FBI arrests surged by 197%, leaping from 34,000 to 67,000. We dismantled 1,800 gangs and criminal organizations, a staggering 210% increase. And we seized over 2,100 kilograms of fentanyl – enough to devastate the lives of 150 million Americans – representing a 31% rise in seizures.
Our commitment extended beyond our borders. A historic agreement forged in Beijing directly addressed the source of the fentanyl crisis, cutting off the flow of precursor chemicals poisoning American communities. Simultaneously, arrests related to Nihilistic Violent Extremism, including those targeting children, skyrocketed by 490%, leading to the recovery of over 6,200 child victims.
The pursuit of justice reached across continents and years. We apprehended six fugitives from the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list – more than the previous administration achieved in its entirety – individuals who had evaded capture for a combined total of over 50 years. This included the capture of Ryan Wedding, a long-sought fugitive.
Nationwide, the impact was undeniable. The murder rate plummeted by a record 20%, reaching levels not seen in a century. This dramatic decline wasn’t accidental; it was the direct result of empowering law enforcement and providing the resources needed to succeed.
But the transformation went deeper than statistics. Quiet, yet profound changes were taking place within the Bureau itself – reforms designed to address long-standing issues and build a more effective, accountable organization. These changes, though often unseen, were critical to our success.
From day one, we prioritized four core objectives: crushing violent crime, defending the homeland, restoring public trust, and demanding fierce organizational accountability. Violent crime, previously a lower priority, was elevated to a central focus, resulting in a doubling of related arrests to over 30,000 in 2025.
Strengthening homeland security led to the capture of dangerous individuals like Nicholas Maduro, wanted for narcoterrorism, Mohammad Sharifullah, an alleged key operative in the Kabul Abbey Gate bombing, and Zubayr Al-Bakoush, a conspirator in the 2012 Benghazi attack that claimed the lives of four Americans. We also successfully disrupted three separate terror plots during the holiday season, safeguarding potential mass-casualty events.
Transparency was paramount. In our first year, we released over 40,000 pages of documents to Congress – more than double the combined output of previous administrations – demonstrating a commitment to openness and oversight.
We deliberately shifted resources away from the bloated bureaucracy of Washington, D.C., and reinvested them in Main Street America. Over 1,000 agents were relocated from the National Capital Region to field offices across the country, with another 1,000 intelligence and support personnel to follow. The advanced training facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, including the first-ever law enforcement counter-UAS training program, was also activated.
We streamlined operations, eliminating the bottlenecks that hindered responsiveness. By restructuring field offices into regional structures, we increased accountability and improved our ability to serve the public. We dismantled ineffective units, removed unethical personnel, and rebuilt leadership around a culture of results.
The FBI is now faster, more agile, and more technologically advanced. The Director’s Strategic Information Center (DSIC) was established as a fully overhauled information hub, dramatically improving response times. A Technology Working Group was launched to strengthen national security infrastructure through artificial intelligence and enhanced biometric coordination.
We moved away from fragmented approaches and forged strong partnerships with the private sector to rebuild core systems. We also expanded the FBI’s leadership role in the National Counterintelligence Task Force, enhancing our ability to counter hostile intelligence operations targeting the United States.
After decades of stagnation, we finally resolved the issues surrounding the Hoover Building project, canceling a $5 billion plan and instead utilizing the existing Ronald Reagan Building – a safe, modern, and cost-effective solution for the American people.
Perhaps most importantly, we prioritized collaboration with state and local law enforcement. We created Homeland Security Task Forces, resulting in nearly 600 arrests in Virginia alone within a single month. Similar initiatives in Memphis and Washington, D.C. led to a 30% reduction in violent crime and a nearly 70% decrease in homicides in D.C., and a 50% decrease in Memphis.
The establishment of the Law Enforcement Partner Engagement Council (LEPEC) gave local law enforcement a permanent voice within the FBI, fostering a stronger, more collaborative relationship. These partnerships were, and continue to be, essential to our success.
The results of the past year are undeniable. But the true legacy of this transformation lies in the institutional changes we’ve made – changes that will ensure the FBI remains a steadfast protector of the American people for decades to come, working alongside our dedicated partners in the Department of Justice.
Our focus remains unwavering: Mission First.
