Donald Trump has recently threatened to take Washington DC out of local control and place it directly under federal oversight. Citing a spike in youth crime, he pointed to an alleged attack on a federal worker affiliated with the so-called ‘department of government efficiency’ (Doge) as the tipping point.
In a post on his platform Truth Social, he issued a stark warning: if local leaders do not act promptly against crime, he would consider a takeover of the city operations, insisting that teens as young as 14 should face adult penalties for their actions.
“The situation regarding crime in Washington, D.C. is absolutely out of control,” Trump declared. “If the D.C. government doesn’t get things sorted soon, we will have no other choice but to federalize the City and manage it properly.”
His challenges found support from Elon Musk, who recounted an event in which a member of the Doge team was reportedly assaulted while intervening in a dangerous situation.
“Just a few days ago, a group of young men attempted to attack a woman in her car during nighttime in D.C. A member from @Doge noticed the scene, rushed to help her, and was brutally beaten, suffering a concussion in the process. It’s about time we federalize DC,” Musk shared on X.
The attack’s victim has been identified by friends and police as Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old popularly known as “Big Balls,” previously one of Doge’s most recognized figures since joining the team in January. Reports state he left Doge in June and is currently with the Social Security Administration. According to a police report acquired by Politico, Coristine was attacked around 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning by around ten youths near Dupont Circle.
Authorities took into custody two 15-year-olds from Maryland as they allegedly attempted to flee, charging them with attempted carjacking. During the incident, a black iPhone valued at $1,000 was reported stolen.
Trump’s Truth Social post, which accompanied graphic images of a injured Coristine, ended with a clear message: “If this keeps up, I’m going to exercise my powers and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Under current laws, Washington DC follows a system called “home rule” established in 1973, which allows for local governance through an elected mayor and council, though Congress retains ultimate authority. Since the framework’s establishment, no president has ever attempted to dismantle this system.
If Trump were to act on his threat, it might take several forms, as the constitution gives Congress expansive power over the district. However, completely abolishing local governance would likely need congressional legislation. There’s also the option to mobilize federal law enforcement or National Guard troops under executive powers, akin to his use of federal forces in 2020 protests, when federal officers moved protesters from Lafayette Square against the wishes of local officials.
Nonetheless, stripping DC of its home rule status would likely encounter strong backlash from Democratic lawmakers. Any such attempt would need Congress’s backing, remaining susceptible to blocking or legal challenges from Democrats.
Trump has specifically highlighted the juvenile justice system in DC. He suggested, “Laws in D.C. need to be reformed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults and to imprison them for a significant time starting at age 14,” targeting the alleged attackers he labeled as “local thugs” while putting an ironic emphasis on the term “youths.”
Despite growing concerns related to crime, Washington DC, which has a population of about 700,000, has experienced a reduction in violent crime in early 2025 compared to the previous year, with 2024 marking a new low not seen in the past three decades according to a Justice Department report from earlier this year. The city, often at odds with Trump regarding federal oversight, has long sought full statehood to gain more autonomy and congressional representation, which has faced opposition from Republican leaders.
The office of DC’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, opted not to comment on this matter.
