Early Sunday morning, Edward Coristine—a 19‑year‑old former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee known online as “Big Balls”—intervened to shield his companion during a violent carjacking attempt near Logan Circle. A group of about ten juveniles surrounded their vehicle, made a move for the car, and then turned on Coristine after he ensured the woman’s safety by pushing her inside.
Authorities arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, prompting several attackers to flee. Two 15‑year‑olds—a male and a female from Maryland—were apprehended and charged with unarmed carjacking. Coristine suffered a broken nose, concussion, black eye, and had his iPhone 16 stolen during the assault.
A photo of Coristine afterward—bloodied and shirtless—was shared by both a former colleague and President Trump, who decried rising youth crime in the city and called for a federal takeover of D.C. security. Former DOGE chief Elon Musk also highlighted the incident, praising Coristine for acting as a protector in the face of danger.