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Trump threatens federal takeover of DC after DOGE staffer 'beat up by a bunch of thugs'

David Badash
05 August

President Donald Trump at the White House on August 5, 2025 (Image: Screengrab via CNN / @atrupar / X)

Claiming crime in Washington, D.C is “totally out of control,” President Donald Trump threatened to bring the nation’s capital city under federal control, and called for prosecuting minors fourteen and older as adults. Violent crime dropped last year by more than one third—hitting the lowest levels in decades—and this year violent crime is likewise down by double digits.

Posting a photo of a nameless, bruised and bloodied young man who he suggested was “beaten mercilessly by local thugs,” President Trump claimed 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.”

“The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults,” the President demanded, “and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14.”

READ MORE: Trump Melts Down Over Elizabeth Warren’s Accusations

“Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see,” he continued. “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.”

“If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City,” the President threatened.

Washington, D.C. already operates as a shared jurisdiction, and Congress can vote to override the District’s ordinances. It would be unprecedented for any president to unilaterally take control of a city, even the District of Columbia.

The president later spoke about an incident of violence he said was against someone from his Department of Government Efficiency.

Watch the video below or at this link.

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