Donald Trump has threatened to bring the US capital under federal control over what he calls “out of control” crime rates, following the brutal beating of a Department of Government Efficiency employee who intervened to save a woman from assault.
In a lengthy Truth Social tirade on Tuesday, the President declared: “Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16 years old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming and shooting innocent citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released.”
The President posted a graphic image of a bloodied young man seated on the ground, later identified by multiple sources as Edward Coristine, known online as “Big Balls,” who previously worked for DOGE.
Trump urged Washington DC officials to start charging 14-year-olds as adults for violent crimes, warning they should be locked up “for a long time” and threatening unprecedented federal intervention.
If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City,” Trump blasted in his social media post.
The attack that sparked Trump’s latest threat occurred early Sunday morning when Coristine, a protégé of Elon Musk, intervened after witnessing a gang of about a dozen young men attempting to assault a woman in her car in the 1400 block of Swann Street NW around 3am.
Musk, who recently departed from his DOGE leadership role, revealed details of the incident on X: “A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC. 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 is time to federalize DC,” Musk added, echoing Trump’s threat despite their recent political falling out.
Metropolitan Police Department records show two suspects – a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl from Hyattsville, Maryland – were arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking. The suspects fled when a police cruiser arrived but were quickly apprehended.
Trump’s threat comes despite official statistics showing violent crime in Washington DC is down 26 per cent year-to-date compared to 2024, with overall crime down 7 per cent. The 2024 figures marked a 35 per cent drop from 2023, representing a 30-year low for crime in the capital.
However, the juvenile arrest rate in DC remains nearly double the national average, with approximately 2,235 cases per year between 2016 and 2022, fuelling perceptions of youth-driven crime waves.
District Councillor Robert White Jr warned in February 2024: “We see a surge of young people engaging in serious crime. We are seeing kids as young as nine and 10 getting involved in carjackings.”
The city has already implemented emergency measures to address youth crime. Since 7 July, the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Act has imposed an 11pm to 6am curfew seven days a week for anyone under 18, running until 31 August.
Children found violating the curfew are taken to a police station or Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services centre until collected by a parent or guardian. They may face up to 25 hours of community service, whilst parents can be fined up to $500 (£387).
The emergency legislation also grants DC Police Chief Pamela Smith authority to create “extended juvenile curfew zones” where curfews can begin as early as 8pm and ban gatherings of nine or more youths for four-day periods.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening, Trump doubled down on his threat: “Either they’re going to straighten their act out in terms of government and in terms of protection, or we’re going to have to federalize and run it the way it’s supposed to be run.
The President’s threats extend beyond Washington. During a fiery White House Cabinet meeting, Trump also threatened federal control of New York City, particularly if “communist” candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the upcoming mayoral election.
“If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same,” Trump stated. “But we have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to.”
Any attempt to federalise Washington DC would require Congressional action to suspend or repeal the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, which established the city’s elected local government including its mayor and 13-member council.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemned the attack on Coristine, stating: “No one who lives, works or visits DC should experience this; it is horrific and disturbing.
Newly confirmed US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro appeared to send mixed messages about the crime situation. At a National Night Out event, she initially declared “Crime is going down in DC,” crediting community cooperation, before later clarifying her stance.
“The two are totally different. Tonight was about celebrating successes when community and law enforcement work together,” Pirro said. But crime is not down enough – ask any crime victim. Now we need to end crime committed by those who are too young to prosecute.”
In a video posted to X, Pirro warned: “Our job is to get guns off the street, drugs off the street, take care of those individuals who are threatening, carjacking other people and make this city safe and clean again. That’s just what we’re going to do. And if you don’t buy into it, you’re going to have to deal with us.”
The attack on Coristine marks the latest high-profile assault on federal workers in the capital. In June, 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was killed in crossfire near the convention centre whilst working for Republican Representative Ron Estes of Kansas. No charges have been filed in his death.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of Washington throughout his political career. During the 2020 protests, his administration floated taking over the DC police force and deployed the National Guard and military helicopters over the city.
Legal experts note that whilst Trump cannot simply sign an executive order to federalise the city, he could potentially take control of the police department, though this would face immediate legal challenges.
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment on Trump’s latest threats.
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