JUST IN: Prominent DOGE Staffer Brutally Beaten in D.C. — Trump Threatens Federal Takeover
President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for the potential federal takeover of Washington, D.C., following the violent assault of a high-profile staffer from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16 years old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent citizens—knowing they’ll be almost immediately released.”
“They’re not afraid of law enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them. But it’s going to happen now,” he continued. “The laws in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults and lock them up for a long time—starting at age 14.”
The president’s post included a graphic photo of the battered DOGE employee seated on the ground, his face bloodied after police responded to the scene.
The victim has since been identified as Edward Coristine, a well-known DOGE staffer who gained notoriety on the internet under the screen name “Big Balls.” Coristine has been instrumental in investigating federal agencies for waste, fraud, and abuse as part of DOGE’s reform efforts.
Former DOGE chief Elon Musk confirmed the incident and backed Trump’s warning, posting:
“A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in D.C. A DOGE team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her, and was severely beaten to the point of concussion—but he saved her. It’s time to federalize D.C.”
Trump echoed that sentiment in his post, warning D.C. officials:
“If local leaders can’t get their act together, I will have no choice but to take federal control of the city—run it how it should be run—and put criminals on notice that their days of terrorizing the streets are over.”
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that a group of suspects approached people standing near a car around 3 a.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of Swann Street NW. The suspects demanded the car and attacked one of the victims.
According to NBC 4 Washington, the suspects fled when a police cruiser entered the block. Two of them—a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl from Hyattsville, Maryland—were arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemned the incident but defended the current prosecutorial approach.
“No one who lives, works, or visits D.C. should experience this; it is horrific and disturbing,” Schwalb said. “I cannot comment on specific cases, but when MPD brings us cases with sufficient evidence involving juveniles who have broken the law and harmed others, we will prosecute them and ensure they face consequences.”
Edward Coristine has been identified as the victim in the brutal Swann Street attack.