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Fact check: During Trumps full term in office how many FBI most wanted were captured

Checked on June 23, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, three individuals on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list were captured during Trump's full term in office [1] [2] [3]. Multiple sources consistently confirm this number, with the most recent capture being Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales [1].

The sources also reveal that under FBI Director Kash Patel's leadership in Trump's current administration, three additional fugitives from the FBI's top 10 Most Wanted list have been apprehended since January 20, 2025 [4] [5] [6]. This includes the arrest of the top U.S. MS-13 leader [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important comparative context that would help evaluate the significance of these captures. The analyses reveal that comparisons with Biden's presidency exist [2] [3], but the specific numbers for Biden's term are not detailed in the provided analyses. This comparative data would be crucial for understanding whether three captures represents a high, average, or low performance.

Additionally, the question doesn't specify which Trump term is being referenced. The analyses show captures during both Trump's previous presidency and his current term starting in 2025, which could lead to confusion about the timeframe being evaluated.

The sources also indicate that FBI leadership changes, particularly the appointment of Kash Patel as FBI Director, may have influenced capture rates [4] [5], suggesting that administrative and operational factors beyond presidential leadership affect these outcomes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement itself doesn't contain explicit misinformation, as it poses a factual question rather than making a claim. However, there are potential areas for bias in how this information might be interpreted:

  • Selective timeframe focus: By asking only about Trump's term without requesting comparative data from other administrations, the question could be designed to either highlight or downplay Trump's performance depending on the questioner's intent.
  • Attribution ambiguity: The question implies presidential responsibility for FBI captures, but the analyses suggest that FBI Director leadership and operational factors play significant roles [4] [5], meaning direct presidential attribution may be misleading.
  • Incomplete scope: The question focuses solely on "Most Wanted" captures without considering other law enforcement metrics, which could provide a skewed view of overall FBI performance during the administration.

The consistent reporting across multiple sources [1] [2] [3] suggests the core factual claim of three captures is reliable, but the context for interpreting this number's significance remains limited.

Want to dive deeper?
How many FBI most wanted fugitives were captured between 2017 and 2021?
What was the most notable FBI most wanted capture during Trump's term?
How did Trump's policies impact FBI operations and most wanted captures?
Which FBI most wanted fugitives remain at large since Trump's term?
How does the Trump administration's record on FBI most wanted captures compare to previous administrations?