The FBI has arrested 5,072 child predators and human traffickers.
Posted by The Dan Bongino Show, Checked
- Sources
- 3 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 60%
The Dan Bongino ShowSep 16, 2026
The 5,072 figure is the FBI's own count, stated by Director Patel at the September 15, 2026 Senate hearing (transcripts from CNN and PBS confirm the wording). His later sworn testimony says the FBI arrested 'over 5,000' child predators and human traffickers since January 2025, a 13% increase, which is consistent with the figure.
A played clip makes this claim. Listeners heard it, so it counts against the post.
What was said
… That's making America safe. 31,000 violent gang members have been arrested by the FBI. That's up 30%, making America safe. We've removed, the FBI has removed 3,258 kilograms of fentanyl. That's, we have located, found, and identified 11,081 child victims. We have arrested 5,072 child predators and human traffickers. That's up 13%. This FBI is making America safe. We, this FBI, have arrested 4,260 foreign terrorist organization related aliens. That's up 38%. This FBI has executed 86 foreign transfers of custody, a 54% increase, for perps captured overseas in 2025. …
The Dan Bongino Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Patel's Senate Judiciary testimony states the FBI since January 2025 'arrested over 5,000 child predators and human traffickers, a 13% increase,' consistent with the 5,072 figure.[1]
Supports. Transcripts of the September 15, 2026 hearing record Patel stating 'We have arrested 5,072 child predators and human traffickers. That's up 13%.'[2][3]
Context. Fox News and Yahoo report that the FBI arrested 'just over 6,000' child sex predators and human traffickers over 21 months under the Trump administration, a different timeframe that does not contradict a 5,072 count for an earlier window.[4][5]
Context. A Fox/Yahoo-style count and the hearing figure both rely on bureau-compiled data, and one independent outlet notes that joint and local-led arrests can be counted differently.[6]
Sources
6 sources: 1 primary, 5 not rated
- 1Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Testimony of Kashyap Patel, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justicejustice.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
- 2FBI Director Kash Patel Faces Senate Judiciary Committee. Aired 9 ...transcripts.cnn.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 3WATCH: FBI Director Kash Patel makes opening statement in Senate oversight hearingyoutube.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4FBI reports 114% jump in violent crime arrests under ...yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 5FBI reports 67% jump in violent crime arrests under Trump compared to Biden's final monthswfin.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 6Patel reveals historic crime drop, 10-of-10 Most Wanted takedown in ...flvoicenews.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- The number of child predators and human traffickers arrested by the FBI is up 13%.True
- The FBI has identified 11,081 child victims.True
- The FBI has arrested 54,000 violent criminals since the beginning of the Trump administration.Mixed
- The FBI has arrested 31,000 violent gang members.Can’t tell
- The FBI has arrested 4,260 foreign terrorist organization-related aliens.Can’t tell