WASHINGTON — Violent crime increased in the United States for a second consecutive year in 2016, remaining near historically low levels but pushed upward in part by an uptick in killings in Chicago and some other major cities, according to FBI statistics made public Monday.



The FBI's release of the figures comes as the Trump administration has warned ominously of a dangerous crime wave. In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump described "American carnage" in U.S. cities, while Attorney General Jeff Sessions said earlier this year he worried the crime uptick was "the beginning of a trend."



Some experts and analysts have disputed that suggestion, noting that crime levels were much higher a quarter-century ago. In some major cities, violence has surged, while in others it has declined. In Chicago, 2016 was the deadliest year for homicides in decades. Killings have continued to drop in New York.