A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee known online as “Big Balls” was violently attacked during an attempted carjacking in Washington DC early Sunday morning. Edward Coristine , the victim, was reportedly trying to protect a woman near their parked vehicle in the city’s Logan Circle neighbourhood when a group of teenagers approached and assaulted him.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Swann Street NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities said the suspects attempted to steal the vehicle and began beating Coristine when he intervened. Two 15-year-olds from Hyattsville, Maryland, a boy and a girl, were arrested on the scene and charged with unarmed carjacking. Several other suspects fled and remain at large.
Attack on 'Big Balls': What happened
According to a police statement, the group approached Coristine and the woman near their vehicle and made a threat about taking the car. Coristine pushed the woman into the vehicle for her safety before confronting the group. Multiple attackers then allegedly beat him severely until nearby officers intervened, causing the group to flee. Coristine sustained injuries requiring treatment at the scene.
Former DOGE chief Elon Musk chimed in claiming that a "gang" of about a dozen young men tried to assault a women causing Coristine to "run in and defend her". After which he was beaten "to the point of concussion."
Images shared on social media by President Trump showed Coristine bloodied and sitting on the pavement following the assault.
The New York Post further cited the police report identifying Coristine as the victim and detailing how he was struck after trying to fend off the attackers. The incident remains under investigation, with DC’s Carjacking Task Force and the FBI Washington Field Office involved.
Trump threatens federal takeover of DC
The attack has fuelled President Trump’s push to take federal control of the city. “Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, calling for minors as young as 14 to be tried as adults. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together... we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City.”
In remarks to reporters on Tuesday, Trump reiterated, “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.”
The president has repeatedly claimed that DC’s current government is failing to curb youth violence and protect its citizens. He previously suggested federalising DC during a cabinet meeting in July, a move that would require congressional approval to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act.
City Officials Respond as juvenile crime surges
District Attorney Brian Schwalb called the attack “horrific and disturbing,” adding that his office would prosecute juveniles when there is sufficient evidence. Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for DC, echoed Trump’s frustration, stating, “It’s time we start taking crime more seriously irrespective of the age of the criminal.”
While violent crime in the district has declined overall, youth-led offences — particularly carjackings — remain a persistent issue. According to Fox5 DC, Coristine’s case follows a disturbing pattern: several recent carjackings in the capital have involved teenagers, including cases where children as young as 14 were implicated in fatal attacks.
Locals continue to report feeling unsafe amid what many see as a breakdown in law enforcement’s ability to deter violent youth offenders. As NYPost highlighted, Washington’s juvenile arrest rate nearly doubles the national average, with more than 2,200 youth arrests annually between 2016 and 2022.
The police have urged anyone with further information to contact the MPD tip line and are offering up to $10,000 for tips leading to further arrests in this case.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Swann Street NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities said the suspects attempted to steal the vehicle and began beating Coristine when he intervened. Two 15-year-olds from Hyattsville, Maryland, a boy and a girl, were arrested on the scene and charged with unarmed carjacking. Several other suspects fled and remain at large.
Attack on 'Big Balls': What happened
According to a police statement, the group approached Coristine and the woman near their vehicle and made a threat about taking the car. Coristine pushed the woman into the vehicle for her safety before confronting the group. Multiple attackers then allegedly beat him severely until nearby officers intervened, causing the group to flee. Coristine sustained injuries requiring treatment at the scene.
Former DOGE chief Elon Musk chimed in claiming that a "gang" of about a dozen young men tried to assault a women causing Coristine to "run in and defend her". After which he was beaten "to the point of concussion."
A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti
Images shared on social media by President Trump showed Coristine bloodied and sitting on the pavement following the assault.
The New York Post further cited the police report identifying Coristine as the victim and detailing how he was struck after trying to fend off the attackers. The incident remains under investigation, with DC’s Carjacking Task Force and the FBI Washington Field Office involved.
Trump threatens federal takeover of DC
The attack has fuelled President Trump’s push to take federal control of the city. “Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, calling for minors as young as 14 to be tried as adults. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together... we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City.”
In remarks to reporters on Tuesday, Trump reiterated, “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.”
The president has repeatedly claimed that DC’s current government is failing to curb youth violence and protect its citizens. He previously suggested federalising DC during a cabinet meeting in July, a move that would require congressional approval to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act.
City Officials Respond as juvenile crime surges
District Attorney Brian Schwalb called the attack “horrific and disturbing,” adding that his office would prosecute juveniles when there is sufficient evidence. Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for DC, echoed Trump’s frustration, stating, “It’s time we start taking crime more seriously irrespective of the age of the criminal.”
While violent crime in the district has declined overall, youth-led offences — particularly carjackings — remain a persistent issue. According to Fox5 DC, Coristine’s case follows a disturbing pattern: several recent carjackings in the capital have involved teenagers, including cases where children as young as 14 were implicated in fatal attacks.
Locals continue to report feeling unsafe amid what many see as a breakdown in law enforcement’s ability to deter violent youth offenders. As NYPost highlighted, Washington’s juvenile arrest rate nearly doubles the national average, with more than 2,200 youth arrests annually between 2016 and 2022.
The police have urged anyone with further information to contact the MPD tip line and are offering up to $10,000 for tips leading to further arrests in this case.
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