In the early hours of Sunday, August 3, 2025, Edward Big Balls Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer and former member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was assaulted during an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C.’s Logan Circle neighborhood. Coristine, who had recently transitioned to a role at the Social Security Administration, was with a female companion when they were confronted by a group of approximately ten teenagers. The assailants made comments about taking their vehicle. In an effort to protect his companion, Coristine pushed her into the car and faced the group. The teenagers then attacked him until police officers patrolling the area intervened. Two 15-year-olds from Maryland were apprehended and charged with unarmed carjacking, while the remaining suspects fled the scene. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/06/two-teens-charged-in-attack-on-former-doge-official-edward-big-balls-coristine/?utm_source=openai))
Edward Coristine, known by his online alias Big Balls, gained prominence as a member of DOGE, an initiative under the Trump administration aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy. After leaving DOGE in June, he joined the Social Security Administration to assist in enhancing the agency’s website functionality. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/06/two-teens-charged-in-attack-on-former-doge-official-edward-big-balls-coristine/?utm_source=openai))
The attack has sparked significant political discourse. President Donald Trump condemned the incident, describing crime in Washington, D.C., as out of control. He threatened to impose federal control over the city if local authorities fail to address the issue promptly. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, 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 … . ([abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trump-threatens-federal-takeover-dc-after-attack-former-124398687?utm_source=openai))
Elon Musk, former head of DOGE, also commented on the incident. On his social media platform, X, Musk praised Coristine’s bravery, noting that a DOGE team member intervened to defend a woman from an assault and was severely beaten as a result. He emphasized the need for federal intervention in D.C. ([newsweek.com](https://www.newsweek.com/edward-coristine-big-balls-doge-attacked-washington-dc-donald-trump-2109443?utm_source=openai))
The Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the incident, seeking additional suspects involved in the attack. While overall violent crime in D.C. has reportedly decreased by over 25% compared to the previous year, local officials acknowledge ongoing concerns regarding youth-involved carjackings. The incident has reignited debates over the city’s autonomy and crime policies, with Republican leaders using it to critique Democratic governance. ([abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trump-threatens-federal-takeover-dc-after-attack-former-124398687?utm_source=openai))
