DC Prosecutor Declares 'Enough Is Enough' Amid Rising Youth Crime in Capital

A Call for Accountability in Youth Crime Rehabilitation

The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., has raised concerns about the current approach to dealing with youth crime, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and stronger enforcement. Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News co-host who recently took on the role of U.S. attorney for D.C., has made it clear that she is committed to implementing stricter measures to address rising levels of youth violence.

Pirro highlighted her alignment with President Donald Trump’s vision of making the nation’s capital “safe” and “beautiful.” She stressed that the increasing trend of youth violence is not just an issue in D.C., but a nationwide problem. According to her, many young offenders are being treated with leniency rather than facing appropriate consequences for their actions.

“Youth violence is on the rise — not just in D.C., but across the country. And if you think that these kids need to be coddled and they need to be hugged — they need to have consequences, they need to understand that enough is enough,” Pirro stated. She emphasized that these individuals should be placed in rehabilitation detention facilities rather than being allowed to escape responsibility due to the policies of the D.C. Council.

Pirro’s comments come in the wake of recent threats from President Trump to federalize Washington, D.C., following an alleged attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee during an attempted carjacking. The incident has sparked renewed debate over the effectiveness of local law enforcement and the handling of juvenile offenders.

Despite claims by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that there has been a 7% decrease in overall crime and a 26% reduction in violent crime in D.C. compared to the same period in 2024, Pirro pointed out that certain types of crimes, such as carjackings, have seen a significant increase. She noted that carjackings have risen by 111%, indicating that while overall crime may be down, the nature of the crimes has become more dangerous.

In response to the growing concerns about youth crime, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith announced the creation of the Juvenile Investigative Response Unit in April. This unit aims to address youth-involved crime more effectively and prevent incidents before they occur. Bowser emphasized that the initiative is designed to provide a more proactive approach to tackling the issue.

However, Pirro argues that the current system is too focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment. She criticized the D.C. Council for what she sees as excessive leniency toward young offenders. “They go to family court, where the effort is rehabilitation. The D.C. Council — and the president is right — they've got to stop their coddling,” she said. Pirro also called for lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14, arguing that this would help ensure that younger offenders face appropriate consequences for their actions.

Two 15-year-olds were arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking in connection with the attack on Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls.” According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspects are currently facing legal action. However, Pirro noted that under the current juvenile justice system, these individuals may not face charges in her office.

Pirro is working to ensure that her office is fully staffed and operational to support her mission of making D.C. safer and more secure. She believes that the combination of increased staffing, stronger enforcement, and a shift in policy toward accountability will be essential in addressing the ongoing challenges related to youth crime in the nation’s capital.