A group assaulted Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in a Washington, D.C. neighbourhood.
According to a police report obtained by TMZ, the incident occurred at 3 a.m. near Swann Street and 14th Street in Northwest D.C. A group approached Coristine and his significant other, making remarks about taking their car. To ensure her safety, Coristine helped her into the vehicle before confronting the attackers, who then assaulted him, leaving him bloodied. During the attack, a black iPhone 16, valued at $1,000, was stolen. Police arrested two 15-year-old suspects from Hyattsville, Maryland, charging them with unarmed carjacking, while others fled the scene.
President Donald Trump expressed outrage over the attack by sharing a photo of a bloodied, shirtless Edward Coristine on Truth Social. He warned that if local authorities fail to address the rising crime in Washington, D.C., the federal government will have to take control.
Trump demanded that D.C. laws change to allow prosecutors to try minors as young as 14 as adults for violent crimes. He argued that current policies enable criminals to act without fearing consequences. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro supported this position, telling TMZ, “It’s time we start taking crime more seriously, irrespective of the age of the criminal. No longer can we coddle criminals while innocent victims are being assaulted.”
Edward Coristine, now employed by the Social Security Administration, gained prominence as a DOGE team member under Elon Musk, contributing to significant federal funding cuts earlier in 2025. His nickname “Big Balls” originates from his LinkedIn username, as he revealed to Fox News.
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. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025Musk, commenting on X, claimed Coristine was defending a woman from a carjacking attempt by “a gang of about a dozen young men,” sustaining a concussion but saving her, and supported Trump’s call to federalise D.C.
The assault has reignited debates over D.C.’s crime policies, with Trump and supporters like Musk arguing for federal intervention to override the District’s Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants local governance. Critics, including D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, condemned the attack as “horrific” but emphasised prosecuting juveniles with sufficient evidence. Despite a reported 26% drop in violent crime in 2025, youth crime remains a challenge, with minors accounting for nearly 50% of carjacking arrests. The call for federalisation faces legal hurdles, requiring Congressional action, and has sparked concerns about local autonomy.
