Washington D.C. – Edward Coristine, a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and known as "Big Balls," was reportedly assaulted early Sunday morning during an attempted carjacking in Washington D.C.'s Logan Circle neighborhood. Coristine intervened to protect a woman he was with, sustaining injuries in the process. The incident has led to the arrest of two 15-year-old suspects, with an ongoing police investigation seeking additional individuals involved.
According to police reports, Coristine and a woman, identified as his significant other, were approached by a group of approximately ten teenagers around 3 a.m. The group allegedly made threats about taking their vehicle. Coristine reportedly pushed the woman into the car for her safety before confronting the assailants, who then attacked him.
Police patrolling the area observed the commotion and intervened, causing most of the group to flee. Two 15-year-olds from Hyattsville were apprehended at the scene and subsequently charged with unarmed carjacking. Coristine was treated for his injuries, which included a concussion according to some accounts, and images of him bloodied circulated on social media.
The incident drew significant attention from high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who both praised Coristine's actions. Trump utilized the event to renew calls for federal intervention to address crime in the nation's capital, stating that "Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control." Elon Musk, under whom Coristine previously worked at DOGE, echoed the sentiment, tweeting that a "DOGE team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten... but he saved her."
Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer, gained prominence during his time with the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative established by executive order to modernize federal technology, reduce wasteful spending, and improve governmental efficiency. While he has since transitioned to other government roles, his past association with DOGE and the nature of the attack have fueled broader discussions about public safety and juvenile crime. The Metropolitan Police Department continues its investigation to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.