Senator Schmitt Brings FBI Director Patel to Missouri, Touts Historic FBI Investment to Combat Violent Crime in St. Louis

Schmitt Secured One of the Largest Infusions of Agents, Intel Personnel in the Country for St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO — U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) today hosted Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel and FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey at the St. Louis FBI Field Office for an update on operations in the region. Following the briefing, Schmitt and Bailey held a press conference to celebrate the agency’s historic investment and success combatting violent crime in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

This visit follows Senator Schmitt’s close coordination with the FBI and the Trump administration to secure one of the largest per-capita infusions of full-time agents and intelligence personnel in the country for St. Louis. This infusion strengthened crime-fighting capabilities, brought staffing levels at FBI St. Louis to the highest levels in years, and is yielding results. This initiative, at Senator Schmitt’s behest, is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crackdown on violent crime across the United States.

Watch Senator Schmitt’s full remarks HERE.

“I am grateful to Director Patel and the Trump Administration for their strong partnership and commitment to combatting violent crime in St. Louis. The historic investment we announced this summer is putting agents out into the field, strengthening our crime-fighting capabilities, and making sure that our communities are safe. I appreciate Director Patel for closely engaging with me from the moment I requested additional FBI resources and look forward to continuing working together to restore law and order in St. Louis and across the country,” said Senator Schmitt.

“The FBI’s mission to crush violent crime and defend the homeland has always been our priority, and we have taken this fight across America and achieved historic success under President Trump. We are thrilled to continue our already successful efforts in Missouri with Senator Schmitt, Senator Hawley, and our great state and local partners helping us accomplish the mission,” said Director Patel.

By the numbers:

• 545 arrests were made by FBI St. Louis as part of its Violent Crime program in FY25, a 71% increase from FY24.
• 208 firearms were confiscated by FBI St. Louis in FY25, a 23% increase from FY24.
• As part of Operation Summer Heat, 259,699 grams of Methamphetamine, 2,604 grams of fentanyl, and 684 grams of cocaine were seized by FBI St. Louis, including smaller amounts of heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, and other illicit narcotics.

See more pictures from the event HERE.

Background:

• In August 2025, Senator Schmitt announced he secured a historic FBI investment into St. Louis to combat violent crime.
• Senator Schmitt previously served as Missouri’s Attorney General, where he led key initiatives to strengthen public safety across the state.

###