Teens Face New Charges in Brutal Assault on Former DOGE Staffer Edward Coristine

Washington, D.C. – Two 15-year-old teenagers implicated in the violent assault and attempted carjacking of Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee known as “Big Balls,” have been hit with additional charges following their controversial release by a Biden-appointed judge. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of August 3, 2025, in D.C.’s Logan Circle neighborhood, has sparked outrage and fueled debates over juvenile justice and crime in the nation’s capital.

According to police reports, Coristine and his significant other were standing near their vehicle on Swann Street NW when a group of approximately ten juveniles approached, making comments about stealing the car. In an effort to protect his companion, Coristine reportedly pushed her into the vehicle before confronting the group. Several teens then allegedly attacked him, leaving him bloodied and possibly concussed until patrolling officers intervened, causing the group to flee. Two suspects, a 15-year-old boy and girl from Hyattsville, Maryland, were apprehended and initially charged with unarmed carjacking. A black iPhone 16, valued at $1,000, was also reported stolen during the incident.On August 21, D.C. Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs, appointed by President Joe Biden, ordered the release of the two teens from the city’s Youth Services Center, despite objections from prosecutors. The female suspect was sent to a youth shelter, while the male was placed under home detention, both subject to electronic monitoring, 24-hour curfews, and weekly drug testing. Judge Briggs emphasized the seriousness of the release, warning that any violations would trigger an emergency hearing. The decision drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators and President Donald Trump, who called for stricter penalties and federal intervention in D.C.’s justice system.

On September 5, authorities announced additional charges against the two teens, citing the severity of the attack. The female suspect now faces two counts of simple assault, while the male suspect faces three counts of simple assault, one count of felony assault, and one count of robbery. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to search for other suspects involved, releasing photos of a person of interest on August 7 and offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to further arrests.

The attack on Coristine, a software engineer and former protégé of DOGE chief Elon Musk, has become a flashpoint in discussions about crime in Washington, D.C. President Trump, who shared a graphic image of a bloodied Coristine on Truth Social, cited the incident as justification for federalizing D.C.’s police department and deploying National Guard troops on August 11. “Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump wrote, advocating for juveniles as young as 14 to be prosecuted as adults. However, D.C. police data indicates a 26% drop in violent crime and a 38% decrease in carjackings in 2025 compared to the previous year, challenging claims of escalating lawlessness.

Coristine, who left DOGE in June to join the Social Security Administration as a special government employee, gained prominence for his role in the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline federal bureaucracy. His online moniker, “Big Balls,” stems from a tongue-in-cheek LinkedIn username, which he discussed during a DOGE roundtable on Fox News. The assault has drawn praise for his bravery, with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene calling him a “hero” for defending his companion.

The case has also raised questions about juvenile justice policies. D.C. allows 15-year-olds to be prosecuted as adults if deemed unrehabilitatable, but Judge Briggs’ decision to release the teens has been criticized as overly lenient. District Attorney Brian Schwalb called the attack “horrific and disturbing,” pledging to pursue justice, while U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro echoed calls for tougher consequences regardless of the perpetrators’ age.

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