The judge ordered one teen to home confinement and the other to a youth center, both under strict monitoring.
WASHINGTON — Teenagers at the center of the assault which triggered President Donald Trump’s federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. were in court Thursday.
The two 15-year-olds, whom WUSA9 has agreed not to name, accused of assaulting a Department of Government Efficiency staffer on Aug. 3 were granted what’s known as “step down requests.” A D.C. judge ruled the 15-year-old boy will be granted home detention, while the 15-year-old girl will be sent to a youth shelter. Both requests happened under certain conditions, including a 24/7 curfew and electronic monitoring.
A WUSA9 reporter in the courtroom at the time said the judge was very stern with both teens, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges. The boy appeared to be mostly solemn, but the girl showed emotion at times, crying and smiling.
Both teens are scheduled for a trial at the end of September.
Trump has long suggested crime and violence is on the rise in Washington, and has lately begun to criticize things like litter and graffiti. But the catalyst for the order to increase police presence was this August assault on a DOGE employee. The victim, Edward Coristine, nicknamed “Big Balls,” was among the most visible figures of DOGE, which was tasked with cutting jobs and slashing the federal bureaucracy.
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month.
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The president subsequently said he was considering repealing Washington’s limited Home Rule autonomy or “bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly.”
Since then, the number of National Guard members and federal agents has grown in the District. Local leaders are stepping in to support youth in neighborhoods most affected by the recent law enforcement surge.
Community activists say the increased federal presence is doing little to curb violence—and may be causing more harm than good. Just this week, a teenager involved in a local youth program was shot, according to one community group.
“We want to keep our kids and families safe,” said Jawanna Hardy, founder and executive director of Guns Down Friday, a nonprofit that aims to reduce gun violence in D.C.
Guns Down Friday, alongside other violence interrupters and community healers, has launched special sessions aimed at helping teens navigate interactions with federal agents and law enforcement.
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