- Donald Trump Second Term (2025-present): 36 deaths (32 in 2025 + 4 in early 2026). This is already the highest annual total since 2004, tied to ramped-up enforcement and record detention (~68,000 daily peak). Rate not yet calculable for full term, but conditions like overcrowding cited as factors.
Overall, custody deaths are higher under Bush and current Trump terms when normalized for detention size, while border deaths spiked under Clinton/Bush, dipped slightly under Obama/Trump first term, and surged under Biden. Crackdowns increase risks, but fatalities correlate more with detention volume and border crossing numbers than policy intensity alone.
Yes Donald Trump was high. But there are a lot of causes for harm and death tied to presidential policies over the last 20-30 years.