In a move that has sparked intense debate, President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on Thursday to potentially place Washington, D.C., under federal control. This statement comes in response to the city's escalating violent crime rates, highlighted by the recent attack on Edward Coristine, a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when Coristine, known by his moniker "Big Balls," courageously intervened to prevent a group of assailants from targeting a woman. Despite being severely beaten, resulting in a concussion and multiple injuries, his actions successfully thwarted the attack from escalating further.
Trump took to his Truth Social account to commend Coristine's bravery, drawing parallels between the lawlessness in the nation's capital and the tightened security at the southern border, where he claims illegal crossings have ceased in the last three months. "Edward: The Crime situation in Washington, just like our Southern Border where ZERO Illegals entered in the last three months, will be a safe place very soon. Thank you for your bravery and heart. Stay tuned!" Trump wrote.
This incident has reignited Trump's calls for more robust enforcement measures within D.C. On Tuesday, he criticized the city's handling of youth crime, particularly pointing to violent gangs and offenders as young as 14 who are "randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens" with impunity. The president has suggested that local laws be amended to allow for the prosecution of violent minors as adults from the age of 14.
"If D.C. doesn't get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they're not going to get away with it anymore," Trump declared earlier this week, concluding with his signature slogan, "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Backing Trump's position, former head of DOGE Elon Musk also commented on the need for restoring safety in D.C., saying, "It is time to federalize DC." Trump further commented to reporters that Coristine had been "very badly hurt" and reiterated his warning to the city's leadership to "straighten their act out" or face federalization.
The proposal for federal control marks a significant potential shift in Washington's governance, raising questions about the implications for local autonomy and the precedent it might set for federal intervention in city affairs.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the attack on Coristine took place at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Swann Street NW. The suspects, a 15-year-old boy and girl from Hyattsville, Maryland, were apprehended and charged with unarmed carjacking after a police cruiser arrived on the scene.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb responded to the incident, stating, "No one who lives, works or visits D.C. should experience this; it is horrific and disturbing." The community and political leaders alike are now faced with the challenge of addressing the crime wave while weighing the potential consequences of federal intervention.
