Washington, D.C., is under the national spotlight after a brutal assault on a young tech whiz turned political firebrand left President Donald Trump issuing a stark ultimatum.
Breitbart reported that a vicious early morning attack on Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer and prominent DOGE member known online as “Big Balls,” has ignited a fierce debate over crime in the nation’s capital, with Trump threatening a federal takeover if local leaders don’t step up.
The incident unfolded on a Sunday in an upscale D.C. neighborhood, just a couple of miles from the White House.
Coristine was outside his car when a group of ten youths set upon him in a brazen assault. It’s the kind of story that makes you wonder if anyone’s safe, even in the shadow of power.
Police moved quickly, arresting two 15-year-old suspects—a boy and a girl from Maryland—at the scene. Both face charges of unarmed carjacking, a serious accusation for such young offenders. Authorities are still hunting for additional suspects tied to this disturbing event.
Coristine, who confirmed the attack by saying, “I was assaulted by ten ‘youths’ outside of my car,” is no stranger to the political arena.
This young man has already made waves as a key player in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and now works at the Social Security Administration. His prominence in conservative circles only amplifies the outrage over this incident.
Crime in D.C., especially by young offenders, isn’t a new problem. Robberies and carjackings have plagued the city, with numerous arrests failing to stem the tide. It’s a frustrating reality for residents who just want to feel secure in their neighborhoods.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has taken steps, launching a special police unit in April to combat juvenile crime. She’s also claimed that crime rates are dropping in the city.
But when attacks like this happen so close to the heart of government, one has to ask if those efforts are enough—or if they’re just window dressing for a deeper issue.
With the suspects being minors, the case falls to D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. How this plays out in the courts could set a precedent for handling juvenile offenders in a city desperate for solutions. Will justice be served, or will this be another case of catch-and-release?
President Trump didn’t hold back, taking to Truth Social with a fiery response after sharing a photo of the battered Coristine.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” he declared. And frankly, when you see a young man like this targeted, it’s hard to argue with the sentiment that something’s gone wrong.
Trump went further, decrying how young offenders—some as young as 14 or 15—commit violent acts knowing “nothing ever happens to them.”
He’s calling for tougher laws to prosecute minors as adults and lock them up for longer. It’s a hardline stance, but for many fed-up Americans, it might sound like the wake-up call D.C. needs.
“If D.C. doesn’t get its act together and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City,” Trump warned.
This isn’t the first time he’s floated federal intervention since starting his second term. With D.C.’s limited self-governance under the Home Rule Act of 1973, such a move could be a seismic shift—and a warning to local leaders.
Trump’s vision is clear: a “safe, clean, and beautiful” capital for Americans and the world to admire. But is federal control the answer, or does it risk overreach into a city already struggling for autonomy? That’s the question conservatives and critics alike are wrestling with.
Coristine’s assault isn’t just a crime story; it’s a flashpoint for broader frustrations with D.C.’s handling of law and order. Many on the right see this as proof that progressive policies on juvenile crime are failing, letting young offenders off too lightly. It’s not about vengeance—it’s about accountability.
Yet, there’s empathy to be had for a city grappling with complex social issues. Mayor Bowser’s efforts show some intent to address the problem, even if the results aren’t yet convincing. Still, when a young man like Coristine becomes a victim, the call for drastic action grows louder.