HORRIFYING: Former DOGE staffer known as ‘Big Balls’ attacked in DC, Trump and Musk both respond

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From The Hill: A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee was beaten in an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. this week, prompting President Trump to renew his threats to take control of the nation’s capital, according to multiple news reports.

The victim, Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer nicknamed “Big Balls,” was assaulted early Sunday by a group of teenagers attempting to carjack him and a woman whom police identified as his significant other, according to the Associated Press.

Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the attempted carjacking and beating, the AP reported.

The D.C. Police Department announced the arrest of two suspects, but noted there are multiple other suspects still on the loose. MPD wrote in a press release:

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., the suspects approached the victims, who were standing next to their vehicle, in the 1400 block of Swann Street, Northwest. The suspects demanded the victim’s vehicle and then assaulted one of the victims. During the assault, an MPD cruiser pulled into the block causing the suspects to flee. Two of the suspects were apprehended by the on-scene officers. One of the victims was treated on scene by DC Fire and EMS for injuries sustained in the assault.

A 15-year-old juvenile male and a 15-year-old juvenile female, of Hyattsville, MD, were arrested and charged with Unarmed Carjacking.

President Donald Trump reacted in fury over the attack. He shared a graphic photo of a bloodied Coristine, without naming him, along with the following statement on Truth Social:

Crime in Washington, D.C., is 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!

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. 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. 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. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Trump also spoke about the attack during a speech, declaring, “Somebody from
@DOGE was very badly hurt last night… a young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in D.C. Either they’re going to straighten their act out… in terms of government and protection.. or we’re going to have to federalize and run it the way it’s supposed to be run.”

Former DOGE leader Elon Musk shared a copy of Trump’s statement and added, “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 DC.”

Another DOGE staffer, Mark Elez, wrote, “My friend Big Balls (@as400495) is a hero. I took this photo after Edward protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by 8 thugs near Dupont Circle. Violence like this in the heart of DC is completely unacceptable.”

Coristine was part of a panel of DOGE staffers who sat down for an exclusive interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters in May. Below is a segment of that interview in which Coristine jokingly explains why he is called “Big Balls” and what his work with DOGE involved:

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also reacted to news of the attack, writing on X, “President Trump is right. Criminals have terrorized DC for too long. Next month, I will introduce a bill requiring teenagers be charged in criminal court. It’s time for all criminals to face consequences for their actions.”

READ MORE from The Hill.

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