Both President Trump and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro criticized the judge for putting the two teens on probation.
WASHINGTON — Scrutinizing words from both President Trump and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro after the two teenagers who attacked a former DOGE worker over the summer were given probationary sentences on Tuesday.
“I was aware when they were released, which was shocking to me and feeds right into my concern when I first came to the District that we have to lower the age of responsibility,” said Pirro, who has been vocal about harsher punishments for juveniles.
The 15-year-old girl pleaded guilty to one count of simple assault and was given nine months of probation, and last month, the 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to felony assault, among other charges, and will spend twelve months on probation.
The two teenagers were part of a group that reportedly “terrorized” people on U Street on the night of Aug. 3. The attack caught the attention of President Trump and arguably spurred the surge of federal troops in the District.
“I think the judge should be ashamed of himself,” he said.
The judge, who is a woman, heard testimony from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s office, which requested probation, and D.C. Superior Court Social Services also independently suggested probation.
We reached out to the AG’s office today, and they did not comment.
“We can have a record a mile long while we protect these young people,” Pirro said on Wednesday.
However, neither of the teenagers has a prior record in the District. They spent time at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services after they were arrested in the attack on the DOGE worker.
As part of their probation, the teenagers are not allowed to have any contact with each other, nor are they allowed to be in D.C. outside of any school, family, or work obligations. Both are required to wear an ankle monitor and have a curfew.
They must complete 90 hours of community service and attend school.
Both of their attorneys noted that the teenagers had since taken steps to get on the right path.
Alex Hillmann, who represented the boy, noted that he was “very regretful for his actions,” while Natalie Murphy, the girl’s attorney, said she was working with a young women’s group already. The girl wrote a letter to the judge, but requested that it remain private between the two of them.
The two teenagers will be required to follow up with the judge in 60 days with their progress.