Washington D.C. found itself at the center of a heated political clash this week as a judge appointed by President Joe Biden ordered the release of two teenagers accused of attacking a former DOGE employee.
The decision comes just as former President Donald Trump was celebrating his efforts to crack down on crime in the capital.
The Assault That Sparked National Attention
The incident occurred on August 5 when 19-year-old Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a former DOGE employee, tried to intervene in a carjacking.
He was left badly beaten, bloodied, and fearing a concussion.
The attack quickly became a symbol for Trump’s crime crackdown, which he touted in recent press conferences as a major victory for Washington residents.
Details of the Teen Suspects’ Release
Judge Kendra Briggs, a Biden appointee, ordered the release of the two 15-year-olds allegedly responsible for the assault and an attempted carjacking on August 3.
A third suspect has also been identified by police, though the case against the two released teenagers took center stage.
The boy and girl, both from Hyattsville, Maryland, were released under strict conditions.
The girl will move into a youth shelter, while the boy will remain with his mother.
Both are required to attend school, follow a strict curfew, and wear electronic monitoring devices.
Judge’s Firm Conditions
Briggs made it clear that the teens’ freedoms are conditional.
They are forbidden from contacting each other, and any violations would trigger an emergency court hearing.
“School and home, that’s it,” Briggs told them, emphasizing the seriousness of stepping down from juvenile detention.
Each teenager had a parent present virtually during the hearing.
The girl faces another pending case in Maryland, with prosecutors calling her a flight risk and a danger to the community.
She will undergo weekly drug tests at the shelter and is barred from using electronic devices.
The boy, allowed to stay with family due to school proximity, will also face random drug tests and is restricted from visiting D.C. except for court hearings.
Trump Celebrates Crime Reduction in D.C.
The release decision coincided with Trump’s visit to D.C., where he publicly thanked federal and local law enforcement for reducing crime.
Speaking in the Anacostia neighborhood, he proclaimed that the city is safer than ever and praised officers for their work.
Trump also highlighted his efforts to “beautify” the city, including plans to redo parks and manage grass, boasting about his experience from owning golf courses.
Federal Control and Crime Records
Earlier this month, Trump invoked the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, citing safety concerns.
By Thursday, D.C. had recorded zero murders for an entire week — a notable milestone compared to the city’s five-year daily average of 0.5 to 1 murders.
Trump shared celebratory posts on Truth Social, claiming success in making the city safer and “great again.”
The Political Backdrop
This case and Trump’s law-and-order tour highlight the ongoing tension between federal actions and local judicial decisions in Washington D.C.
While the judge’s release of the teenagers reflects the juvenile justice system’s checks and balances, Trump’s rhetoric underscores the political spectacle surrounding crime and public safety in the capital.
