Former DOGE employee Edward "Big Balls" Coristine was attacked while trying to help a woman, according to sources. (@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social)
A photo of a bloodied Coristine went viral, sparking outrage over the city’s handling of crime and drawing President Donald Trump’s attention. The president slammed D.C., saying crime in the city was "totally out of control."
"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. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Days later, Trump directed federal law enforcement to increase its presence throughout D.C. He also deployed members of the National Guard to patrol the city and assumed federal control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
Trump touted the takeover's success in stopping crime in the city, saying in late August, "We've had some incredible results, and results have come out, and it's like a different place. It's like a different city."
President Donald Trump visits the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility Aug. 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
That age limit is currently at 16. The bill covers crimes including murder, first-degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, robbery while armed or assault with intent to commit any such offense, according to a press release on Gill's website.
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Since then, Trump has suggested he would take a similar approach to cracking down on crime in other major American cities. On Sept. 15, he signed a presidential memorandum titled "Restoring Law and Order in Memphis," mobilizing the National Guard to the city and establishing a "Memphis Safe Task Force" like the D.C. task force.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/teen-pleads-guilty-doge-staffer-beating-sparked-dc-national-guard-deployment