Trump threatens to federalize DC after DOGE staffer ‘Big Balls’ assaulted

Published August 6, 2025 7:44am ET



President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would federalize control of Washington, D.C., if “local youths” aren’t prosecuted as adults. The statement came after former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls,” was reportedly beaten by a group of juveniles over the weekend.

Trump has previously condemned the district’s crime and homelessness conditions and called on its leaders to do better. While the federal government already has some control over Washington, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia control most local affairs.

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