While many politicians talk tough on crime but deliver nothing, President Trump’s administration is showing America what real action looks like. The recent success of Operation Apex Hammer in New Jersey, a bold and decisive joint operation between federal, state, and local law enforcement, proves that cracking down on violent criminals and illegal aliens isn’t just possible—it’s essential. Under Trump’s America First leadership, justice is finally being restored to our streets, neighborhoods, and communities.
This sweeping enforcement action resulted in the arrest of 264 dangerous criminals, including 17 homicide suspects, nearly 100 gang members, and numerous illegal aliens charged with violent and sexual crimes. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. spearheaded this month-long initiative, targeting gang-affiliated criminals and violent offenders plaguing our communities. Unlike Joe Biden’s weak and permissive approach—which allowed violent criminals and unchecked illegal immigration to run rampant—President Trump’s leadership has empowered law enforcement to protect American citizens first.
Consider the disturbing cases of Lorenzo Benitez and Darlin Franco-Guzman. Benitez, a 54-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested in Plainfield, New Jersey, and now faces multiple counts of sexual assault in Keansburg. Franco-Guzman, a 25-year-old illegal alien from Honduras, was wanted for burglary and the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in Maryland before authorities apprehended him in Trenton. Under Biden’s failed border policies, criminals like these slipped into our communities, endangering American families and children. Trump’s America First agenda is correcting that disgraceful record by securing the border and relentlessly pursuing criminal aliens who threaten our safety.
Operation Apex Hammer also specifically targeted some of the most ruthless gangs in America today, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, the Sex Money Murder-Bloods, and the Rolling 60’s Crips. These gangs are notorious for spreading violence, drugs, and fear throughout our neighborhoods, exploiting weak immigration laws and sanctuary city policies championed by left-wing politicians. President Trump’s commitment to law and order has given law enforcement the resources and mandate they need to dismantle these criminal organizations and restore peace and security to American families.
Federal officials arrested more than 200 criminals as part of a joint operation in New Jersey called Operation Apex Hammer, according to a New York Post report. The operation, which involved federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, saw 264 wanted criminals, such as illegal aliens “wanted for sex crimes” and criminals wanted for murder or sexual offenses, arrested, according to the outlet. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba and United States Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. led the operation. Per the outlet, out of the criminals arrested, there were “17 homicide suspects, 95 gang members,” and others who were “wanted for serious violent and sexual offenses.” The New York Post reported that law enforcement officials revealed that one Guatemalan illegal alien facing “multiple counts of sexual assault” had been arrested at the beginning of June, while a Honduran illegal alien, “wanted in Baltimore County, Md., for burglary and attempted sexual assault” had also been arrested: “Illegal Guatemalan immigrant Lorenzo Benitez, 54, was arrested on June 4 in Plainfield, NJ, and faces multiple counts of sexual assault in Keansburg, NJ, law enforcement officials said. Darlin Franco-Guzman, 25, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was wanted in Baltimore County, Md., for burglary and attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl, and was arrested on June 10 in Trenton, the officials said.” Operation Apex Hammer was described as being a “one-month statewide violent crime reduction initiative with federal, state, and local partners” working together to “identify and apprehend” MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gang members, Fox News reported in June. “This is part of Operation Apex Hammer, a one-month statewide violent crime reduction initiative with federal, state, and local partners. The teams working to identify and apprehend gang-affiliated people and other violent offenders with active felony warrants, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua, the Sex Money Murder-Bloods, Rolling 60’s Crips, and more. ‘We are doing multiple cases at once to make sure that we clean up as quickly as possible,’ Habba said at the time. ‘Violent crime is number one.'”
Make no mistake: this operation is a direct repudiation of the disastrous criminal justice policies pursued by Biden and his radical left-wing allies. For too long, American cities were allowed to descend into chaos, as lawlessness was excused, violent criminals freed, and illegal immigration encouraged. Trump’s decisive leadership sends a clear message to criminals everywhere—you can run, but under this administration, you cannot hide.
The American people deserve safe streets, secure borders, and communities where their families can thrive without fear. President Trump’s administration, working hand-in-hand with courageous law enforcement officers, is delivering precisely that. Operation Apex Hammer isn’t just another news story—it’s a testament to the strength, resolve, and moral clarity of Trump’s America First vision. Under Trump’s leadership, law and order are no longer empty promises—they are reality, and America is safer because of it.