Two 15‑year-olds involved in a violent carjacking attempt and assault on Edward “Big Balls” Coristine—a former DOGE staffer—were spared jail time on Tuesday, sparking sharp criticism from political leaders. In D.C. Superior Court, Judge Kendra D. Briggs sentenced the male teen to 12 months’ probation with home confinement and the female teen to nine months’ probation in a youth shelter. Both pleaded guilty to assault‑related charges, and prosecutors dropped additional charges in the girl’s case.
The assault against Coristine, which occurred during a predawn carjacking attempt in Washington’s Logan Circle, left him with a concussion, a broken nose, and other injuries. The attack garnered widespread attention, prompting President Trump to call for federal intervention in D.C. and to deploy the National Guard to address what he called rising crime in the capital.
Judge Briggs defended her decision by emphasizing the rehabilitative goals of juvenile court, stating her hope that the teens would learn from the experience. She also imposed conditions: the teens must stay apart, avoid unauthorized use of vehicles, refrain from entering D.C. except for permitted reasons, and complete required community service and monitoring.
The outcome drew forceful reactions. President Trump called the probationary verdict “terrible” and said the judge should be ashamed. Elon Musk also weighed in, calling it “a racist verdict by a racist judge” and demanding “equal justice for all.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the complaints, arguing that juvenile sentencing in D.C. is often too lenient and asserting that stricter approaches are needed.
The case underscores tensions between accountability and rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system—especially for high‑profile violent acts. While some view the sentences as too soft given the severity of the crimes, others support the notion that juvenile offenders require opportunities for reform rather than punitive sentencing alone. The debate is likely to intensify as D.C. and federal officials evaluate the balance between public safety, juvenile rehabilitation, and equitable justice.
