On Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump issued a threat on Truth Social, his social media platform, to “federalize” the District of Columbia, citing gang violence. He also posted a photo showing a bloodied, shirtless man on the street. Shortly after, Elon Musk tweeted about a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer who was “beaten to the point of concussion” by an alleged gang in DC. WIRED obtained police reports confirming the victim as Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer known online as “Big Balls,” and an early operative of DOGE.
A report from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department states that two individuals were arrested in connection to an incident described as a carjacking, which occurred between 3:01 and 4:20 am on Sunday, August 3, in Logan Circle, a central area of the city.
Emily Bryant is mentioned in the report as the second victim and is described as Coristine’s “significant other.” An affiliate with DOGE, Emily Bryant has ties to the Federal Trade Commission, General Services Administration, and Executive Office of the President.
The police report references federal and local carjacking statutes and reports the theft of a black iPhone 16. Initially, the Metropolitan Police Department told WIRED there were no reports mentioning an “Ed” or “Edward” Coristine, but a report obtained by WIRED identifies Coristine and Bryant as the victims.
The report describes officers patrolling the crime scene observing a group of about 10 juveniles surrounding the victims’ vehicle, allegedly leading to the assault of one victim.
Coristine reportedly saw the suspects approaching, commented on them taking the vehicle, pushed Bryant into the car, and then dealt with the suspects, which allegedly led to his assault by the suspects, as per the report.
The police report states Coristine and Bryant successfully identified two suspects, who were then arrested for unarmed carjacking and taken to the local “JPC,” likely the