President Donald Trump is threatening to “federalize” Washington, D.C., after a spate of brutal crimes that have rocked the nation’s capital.
On Tuesday, one of his former staffers was attacked: A member of the DOGE team, known by the nickname “Big Balls,” was attacked. The president took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to explain why dramatic action is being taken to stabilize the crime-ridden city.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released,” he wrote.
“They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!” he continued. “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,” he 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.”
“Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime,” he concluded. “If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Former DOGE head Elon Musk echoed President Trump’s initiative, saying that, “A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC.” He added that a member of DOGE “saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC.”
Trump also addressed reporters by informing that the former DOGE staffer was “very badly hurt last night.”
He also said, “A young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in DC. Either they’re going to straighten their act out … or we’re going to have to federalize and run it the way it’s supposed to be run.”
President Trump spoke out about the brutal attack:
Washington, D.C., has one of the worst homicide rates in the world, as noted by popular X poster End Wokeness.
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 grants D.C. limited self-governance, including an elected mayor and city council.
Congress, with presidential support, could amend or repeal this act to reduce local autonomy, transferring more control to federal agencies or a federally appointed board, similar to the D.C. Control Board.