Fact check: Do US Red cities really the highest crime rate?

1. Summary of the results

The claim that US "Red cities" have the highest crime rate is not entirely accurate, as multiple analyses suggest that high crime rates are not exclusive to cities in red or blue states ^{[1] [2] [3]}. According to the data, Memphis, Tennessee, has the highest crime rate, with 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people ^[1]. Other cities with high crime rates, such as Detroit, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Milwaukee, are located in both red and blue states ^[1]. The article from ^[2] also notes that while Chicago has led the country in sheer numbers of homicides for 13 years, its homicide rate is not the highest in the US, which supports the idea that high crime rates are not limited to cities in blue states. Furthermore, the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, by GOP governors from states with higher crime rates than DC may be motivated by political considerations rather than a genuine concern for public safety ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• The distinction between raw homicide numbers and homicide rates is crucial, as highlighted by the analysis from ^[2], which states that Chicago has led the country in raw homicide numbers for 13 years but its homicide rate is not the highest.
• The analysis from ^[4] suggests that when measured by state, crime rates are highest in Republican-led locations, which contradicts the claim that US "Red cities" have the highest crime rate.
• The context of political motivations behind the deployment of National Guard troops is also essential, as noted by the analysis from ^[4], which suggests that President Trump's plan to send National Guard troops to Memphis may be motivated by political considerations.
• The analysis from ^[5] provides data on crime trends in US cities, showing that most offenses have decreased in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, but does not specifically address the claim about US Red cities having the highest crime rate.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or biased, as it implies that US "Red cities" have the highest crime rate, which is not entirely accurate ^{[1] [2] [3]}. This framing may benefit political agendas, such as those of President Trump and his Republican allies, who have made claims about Chicago being the most dangerous city in the US ^[2]. Additionally, the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, by GOP governors from states with higher crime rates than DC may be motivated by political considerations rather than a genuine concern for public safety ^[3]. The lack of context and alternative viewpoints in the original statement may also contribute to the potential misinformation or bias ^{[4] [2]}.