On August 22, 2025, authorities charged two 15-year-old teens with the violent attempted carjacking of former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls.” The teens left juvenile detention and returned to their caretakers under strict “school and home” restrictions, according to the New York Post. The incident, which occurred on August 3 in Washington, D.C., sparked national attention and prompted President Donald Trump to federalise the city’s police.
The attempted unarmed carjacking took place at 3:00 AM in the 1400 block of Swann Street, Northwest, involving Coristine and his significant other. A group of approximately 10 juveniles allegedly demanded their vehicle, assaulting Coristine, who sustained a concussion and a broken nose. Police arrested a 15-year-old boy and girl from Hyattsville, Maryland, while others fled. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to seek additional suspects.
Teens charged in violent carjacking of DOGE staffer ‘Big Balls’ released to caretakers on strict restrictions: ‘School and home, that’s it’ https://t.co/r64ArJ8gQ7 pic.twitter.com/M3l9aQ8PTp
— New York Post (@nypost) August 22, 2025Following a juvenile court hearing, the teens were released to their caretakers with strict conditions limiting their movements to school and home, as reported by NBC4 Washington. The decision came after Trump’s controversial move to federalize D.C.’s police, citing rising crime. The teens’ release has drawn scrutiny, with critics arguing it reflects leniency in juvenile justice, while supporters emphasise rehabilitation.
The attack on Coristine, a 19-year-old former DOGE staffer, gained significant attention after Trump shared a graphic image of the bloodied victim on Truth Social, calling for tougher laws to prosecute juveniles as adults. Despite a 35% drop in D.C.’s violent crime in 2024, the incident fueled debates over youth crime and urban safety. Coristine, praised for protecting his companion, now works at the Social Security Administration.
Read: Trump Threatens to Federalize D.C. After Assault on DOGE Staffer “Big Balls”
The D.C. police’s Carjacking Taskforce, in collaboration with the FBI, continues to investigate, offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to additional arrests. The case underscores broader concerns about juvenile crime in D.C., with calls for systemic reforms to address both prevention and accountability.
