President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday reportedly sharpened his focus on crime in America’s cities, saying Democratic leaders have allowed violent repeat offenders to terrorize innocent people and promising to restore law and order nationwide.
In a two-minute video posted from behind the Resolute Desk to his account on X, the president condemned what he called the “senseless crime” infecting Democrat-run cities like Charlotte, N.C.
His comments came after disturbing footage of the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte train went viral over the weekend.
“We cannot allow a depraved criminal element of violent repeat offenders to continue spreading destruction and death throughout our country,” Trump said. “We have to respond with force and strength. We have to be vicious, just like they are. It’s the only thing they understand.”
Authorities say Zarutska, 23, was stabbed to death by 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a man diagnosed with schizophrenia who carried a long record of violent and non-violent crimes, including robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, and breaking and entering.
Brown had been arrested at least 14 times before the attack, raising questions about why he was not in prison.
For Trump, the murder served as a grim symbol of what he has long portrayed as Democratic mismanagement. “For too long, Americans have been forced to put up with Democrat-run cities that set loose savage, bloodthirsty criminals to prey on innocent people — really, very, very innocent people,” he said. “In every place they control, radical left judges, politicians and activists, and they’ve adopted a policy of ‘catch and release’ for thugs and killers.”
President Donald J. Trump denounces senseless crime in Democrat-run cities & the horrific murder of a young woman in Charlotte by a deranged criminal monster.
"It's time to stop this madness. The people of our country need to insist on protection, safety, LAW & ORDER." pic.twitter.com/eUD5KuTufC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 9, 2025
Holding up a printed image of Zarutska aboard the train shortly before the stabbing, Trump spoke emotionally about the young woman. “This is the picture of the woman — beautiful, young girl that never had problems in life, with a magnificent future in this country. And now she’s dead. She was slaughtered by a deranged monster who was roaming free after 14 prior arrests.”
Trump had first addressed the killing on Monday, telling reporters the video was too “horrible” to watch. By Tuesday, his message was broader: that Democratic cities have become hotbeds of violent crime. “Twenty-four of the top 25 most violent cities in America are run by Democrats,” he said. “It is time to stop this madness.”
As an example, Trump pointed to Washington, D.C., where he said crime fell sharply after his deployment of the National Guard. He argued that the same approach could work in other urban centers. “Chicago needs our help. Other cities need help,” he said. “We’ll do what has to be done, because we’re going to make America safe again.”
The president’s comments highlighted a recurring theme of his political message: that liberal policies on crime and criminal justice reform have failed, leaving victims like Zarutska vulnerable.
Trump framed the Charlotte killing not as an isolated incident, but as part of a nationwide crisis that demands urgent intervention.
[READ MORE: Trump’s Approval Rating Rises, Driven by Moderates and Independents]
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