Trump says DC should change law to prosecute teens as adults, threatens to federalize city

President Trump on Tuesday called for the District of Columbia to change its laws to allow for teenagers 14 and older to be prosecuted as adults and face lengthy prison sentences.

Trump shared on Truth Social a graphic image of a bloodied individual, along with a lengthy message railing against violent crime in Washington, which has decreased in recent years. Trump blamed the city's crime on local "youths," who he said were not fearful of consequences.

"They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!" Trump posted. "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," Trump added. "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."

Multiple reports later identified the individual who Trump had highlighted as Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer known as "Big Balls."

"A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC," Elon Musk, who headed DOGE efforts while working in government, posted on X. "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."

Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the district shows violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of Washington throughout his second term and has spoken at length about his desire to rid the city of crime and the homeless population.

The president has met multiple times with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser since the 2024 election, and Trump has said the two get along well.

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trump's latest post on social media.

Updated at 9:39 p.m.