NEWS
Trump is threatening to take over D.C. after assault by gang bangers on Doge ‘Big Balls’ Here’s what he can and can’t do.
A weekend attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer has prompted former President Donald Trump to renew bold threats to place Washington, D.C. under federal control.
The Assault
On Sunday, August 4, 2025, around 3 a.m., Edward Coristine, 19 — widely known as “Big Balls” — was brutally attacked near Logan Circle while defending his significant other from an attempted carjacking. A group of approximately 10 teenagers approached the couple, allegedly making a move on their vehicle. Coristine helped his partner into the car before confronting the group, who then assaulted him until nearby police intervened. Two 15-year-olds from Maryland have been arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking.
Trump’s Response
Trump took to social media to condemn the violence, sharing a graphic image of Coristine wounded on the street. Calling crime in D.C. “totally out of control,” he insisted that minors as young as 14 should face adult charges and warned:
“If D.C. doesn’t get its act together… we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City.”
At a White House press briefing, he echoed the sentiment: “Either they’re going to straighten their act out… or we’re going to have to federalize … and run it the way it’s supposed to be run.”
Musk Backs It
Elon Musk, who formerly led DOGE as part of an executive action to overhaul federal bureaucracy, weighed in on the incident. Musk stated that Coristine had suffered a concussion after intervening during an assault on a woman, and declared, “It is time to federalize DC.”
⚖️ The Legal Hurdles
Full federal takeover of the District would require Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973, a major undertaking that Trump cannot execute unilaterally. However, under current law, the president can deploy the National Guard and temporarily control local law enforcement — a less sweeping but still potent measure.
Contrasting Data
While Trump and his allies point to high youth crime as justification, official data show that violent crime in D.C. declined by over 25% in 2024 compared to previous years. Nonetheless, officials acknowledge that juvenile carjackings and youth-related violent incidents remain pressing concerns.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has cooperated with Trump’s “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force” focusing on urban enforcement, though she has defended D.C.’s local autonomy against full takeover proposals.
Why It Matters
| Focus | Implication |
|---|---|
| Authority vs. Autonomy | Sparks constitutional debate over the boundaries of federal authority in D.C.—a District without statehood. |
| Crime and Youth Justice | Questions raised about juvenile sentencing and public safety. |
| DOGE and Trump’s Agenda | Coristine’s profile as a DOGE figure tied to Trump’s federal efficiency drive adds political symbolism to the incident. |
| Narrative vs. Data | Despite declining crime, the administration’s rhetoric continues to stoke fears to justify potential powers grabs. |
The assault of a high-profile federal staffer has re-ignited longstanding political conflict over D.C.’s governance. Whether Trump can translate rhetoric into actionable authority remains uncertain — but the episode may mark a turning point in the ongoing battle over crime control, youth justice, and who actually wields power in the capital.
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