Megyn Kelly Interviews FBI Director Kash Patel on 510% Increase in Federal Arrests Over the Past Year

Top Points

• FBI Director Kash Patel told Megyn Kelly that federal arrests have increased by 510 percent over the last year: Patel attributed this surge to expanded enforcement efforts, improved technology, and strategic direction under the Trump administration.

• Major categories of arrests include internet child predators, violent offenders, and four fugitives from the FBI’s Most Wanted list: Patel emphasized that renewed prioritization and better interagency coordination led to breakthroughs in long-running investigations.

• Kelly pressed Patel on what the surge means, and Patel argued it reflects stronger investigative capability rather than temporary shifts: Both discussed what the rise might mean for public trust in the FBI and whether the trend can continue as crime patterns evolve.

Full Report:

On a recent episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, host Megyn Kelly interviewed Kash Patel, the current Director of the FBI, about what he described as a dramatic 510 percent increase in federal arrests under the Trump administration. Patel said the rise reflects a combination of policy direction, technological improvements, and renewed emphasis on high-priority criminal activity.

FBI Director Patel Describes the Arrest Surge

Patel told Kelly that the Bureau has experienced a substantial uptick in arrests related to both digital and traditional criminal cases. He said that a significant portion of the increase comes from operations targeting online exploitation, including large-scale stings involving suspected internet child predators. He also noted that the capture of four individuals from the FBI’s Most Wanted list contributed to the surge. Patel added that additional violent offenders, fugitives and offenders involved in interstate crime were taken into custody as a result of expanded cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Patel attributed the numbers to heightened investigative priorities within the Bureau, explaining that the Trump administration had directed more attention and resources toward cyber investigations, fugitive tracking, and crimes involving minors. According to Patel, the combination of new technology, interagency coordination and intensified operational focus helped drive the rise in arrests.

Kelly Presses for Context and Clarity

Kelly pointed out that a 510 percent increase is unusually large and asked Patel whether the surge reflected a genuine rise in criminal activity or a shift in enforcement strategy. Patel responded that while crime trends evolve year to year, the Bureau’s expanded enforcement efforts are the primary driver of the increase. He said that enhanced digital tracking tools, improved forensic capabilities and targeted operations have allowed investigators to act on leads more quickly than in previous years.

Kelly also noted that some analysts argue that arrest surges can reflect temporary initiatives rather than long-term structural change. Patel acknowledged that arrest numbers do not tell the whole story but maintained that removing dangerous offenders from the public is a clear indication of operational effectiveness.

Major Progress on Most Wanted Fugitive Cases

A significant part of the interview focused on the arrests of four fugitives who had appeared on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Patel described these captures as the culmination of multi-year investigations that required careful coordination across several jurisdictions. He told Kelly that renewed prioritization of older, complex cases played an important role in completing these arrests and clearing long-standing files.

Kelly asked whether these operations represented new investigative techniques or renewed attention to earlier cases. Patel said both factors were involved, with technological upgrades and strategic focus helping to resolve investigations that had previously stalled.

Implications for Public Trust

Kelly shifted the discussion to the broader question of public confidence in the FBI. She noted that trust in federal law enforcement has fluctuated in recent years and asked Patel whether the arrest surge might influence public perception. Patel said that while skepticism persists, visible results in combating serious crime, especially those involving child exploitation or violent offenders, can help reinforce the Bureau’s value to the public. He argued that continued transparency, consistent reporting and measurable outcomes will be key to building confidence.

Looking Ahead

Kelly concluded the interview by noting that the long-term significance of the reported arrest increase will depend on whether similar results continue in the years ahead. She encouraged viewers to follow updates from the FBI as new data becomes available and as the Bureau adjusts to evolving crime patterns. Patel expressed optimism that the improvements in coordination and investigative capability would continue to shape federal law enforcement efforts.

References

• “Kash Patel Discusses Federal Arrest Surge Under Trump Administration.” The Megyn Kelly Show, 2025.

• “FBI Reports Significant Rise in Federal Arrests Across Multiple Crime Categories.” Associated Press, 2025, https://apnews.com.

• “Four FBI Most Wanted Fugitives Captured After Multi-Year Investigations.” CBS News, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com.

• “Digital Crime and Child Exploitation Cases Increase as Federal Agencies Expand Cyber Operations.” Reuters, 2025, https://www.reuters.com.

• “Trump Administration Expands Law Enforcement Coordination and Fugitive Tracking.” The Hill, 2025, https://thehill.com.