Donald Trump is threatening to take over Washington, D.C.
After a former member of the Department of Government Efficiency was attacked by a group of teenagers in the nation's capital, the president took to Truth Social to make it clear he's not afraid to overhaul the city.

"Local 'youths' and gang members, some only 14, 15 and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming and shooting innocent citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released," he wrote.
"They are not afraid of law enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it's going to happen now! 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," Trump continued. "The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean and beautiful 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," the right-winger threatened. "Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of violent crime."
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, former DOGE employee Edward Coristine was in downtown Washington, D.C., with a female companion when a group of teenagers approached the two near their car and made "a comment about taking the vehicle."

"At that point, for her safety, [Coristine] pushed his significant other into the vehicle and turned to deal with the suspects," the police report claimed. "The suspects then began to assault [Coristine]."
Two teenagers were arrested for their involvement in the attack.
Ex-DOGE specialist and former Trump confidant Elon Musk spoke out about the attack on X. "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 D.C.," he wrote, though his description of events differs slightly from the police report's.
Downtown D.C. has seen a rise in violent crime in the last few years. During a town hall meeting in 2024, District At-Large Councilmember Robert White Jr. said, "We see a surge of young people engaging in serious crime. We are seeing kids as young as nine and ten getting involved in carjackings."