WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 6,2025 – A violent assault on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee in Washington,D.C., this week has reignited President Trump‘s threats to seize federal control of the nation’s capital.
Trump calls for federal takeover after DOGE worker attacked
Table of Contents
President trump vowed federal intervention in D.C. following an attack on a former DOGE employee, while crime statistics show a notable decrease in violent crime in the city.
- A former DOGE employee was attacked during an attempted carjacking in D.C.
- Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the incident.
- President Trump renewed calls for harsher penalties for teenage offenders and threatened federal control of the city.
- Data shows violent crime in D.C. has decreased substantially in recent years.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene supported Trump’s stance on D.C. crime.
did President Trump threaten to take over Washington D.C. after an attack on a former DOGE employee? Yes, President Trump threatened federal control of Washington, D.C.,following the attack on Edward Coristine,a 19-year-old software engineer. Coristine, formerly with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was beaten early Sunday in an attempted carjacking.
The incident involved a group of teenagers attempting to carjack Coristine and a woman identified as his significant other. Two 15-year-olds have as been arrested and charged in connection with the assault and attempted carjacking, according to police reports.
Elon Musk, who previously led DOGE initiatives, confirmed the attack on X. He described how a DOGE team member intervened to defend a woman from a dozen assailants, sustaining a concussion in the process. “He saved her,” Musk posted.
Trump demands policy changes and threatens federal intervention
Responding to the assault,President Trump on Tuesday called for D.C. to change its laws. He advocated for prosecuting teenagers as young as 14 as adults, demanding lengthy prison sentences. Trump shared a graphic image of the injured former DOGE employee on truth Social, criticizing the city’s crime rate and blaming it on “youths” unafraid of consequences.
“They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!” Trump posted. “The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs.”
He added, “Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and gorgeous for all americans and, importantly, for the world to see. 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.”
Crime statistics contrast with Trump’s claims
The president’s comments come despite data indicating a significant drop in crime in the capital. Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Further data from the district shows that violent crime has also decreased so far in 2025 relative to the prior year.
This is not the first time Trump has threatened federal takeover of Washington. He has repeatedly voiced his desire to rid the city of crime and its homeless population throughout his second term.
Rep.Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) echoed Trump’s sentiments on X, praising Coristine for his bravery and asserting that the capital is “tragically one of the most dangerous cities in America.” Greene stated,”I support President Trump in taking over the city to establish law and order.”
