Assault During Attempted Carjacking Sparks Federal Control Threat from Trump
Edward Coristine, a former staff member of the Department of Government Efficiency, was allegedly assaulted during an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C., early Sunday morning. The incident has prompted President Trump to threaten federal control of the nation’s capital, according to police records obtained by CBS News, reports 24brussels.
The 19-year-old Coristine, known online as “Big Balls,” was reportedly confronted by a group of about ten teenagers near his vehicle. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking, according to the Metropolitan Police Department report. Coristine and his partner indicated to police that they saw the suspects approaching and that in an effort to ensure her safety, Coristine pushed her into the vehicle while confronting the group.
Patrolling officers arrived shortly after the attack began, prompting most of the teenagers to flee. However, two were apprehended, identified, and subsequently arrested. The two suspects are identified only as a male and female, both 15 years old from Hyattsville, Maryland, while other suspects remain at large.
Emergency services confirmed that no individuals were transported from the scene, according to D.C. Fire and EMS. Additionally, a black iPhone 16 was reported stolen during the incident.
Before the details of the police report were released, President Trump took to Truth Social to address the situation, posting images of what he described as an “incredible young man” who had been “beaten mercilessly by local thugs.” Elon Musk commented that Coristine intervened to protect a woman from the suspects and suffered severe injuries, although his claims diverged from the official account provided by police.
Trump characterized crime in Washington, D.C., as “totally out of control,” calling for authorities to prosecute young offenders as adults, starting from age 14. He threatened to exert federal powers if local authorities do not act swiftly to restore order.
The president has previously supported the notion of federalizing D.C., a measure that would strip the city’s self-governance that has been in place since 1973. The Constitution allows Congress to oversee the capital, maintaining the authority to override local legislation.
U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, emphasized the need for a serious approach to crime, irrespective of the age of the perpetrators, arguing that leniency contributes to ongoing victimization. Despite the alarming incident, overall violent crime in Washington has been trending downward after a peak in 2023, with data indicating a significant reduction in robbery rates and violent crime overall as of August 2025.
Coristine, who has been a prominent figure in Musk’s DOGE team, engaged in government efficiency efforts across various federal agencies earlier this year. He resigned from federal employment in late June but rejoined days later in a special role at the Social Security Administration, focusing on improving its website functionality.
In prior statements, Coristine mentioned his playful online persona, explaining that he wanted to present a less serious image in professional settings where others tend to be overly formal.
