Report: 19-year-old Edward Coristine, a DOGE employee, successfully foiled a carjacking by a gang of “youths” in our nation’s capital. The woman who was the intended victim was lucky to have a civic-minded individual run to her aid. The civic-minded individual was less lucky, and as you see, will spend some time in pain.

President Trump suggests returning Washington, D.C., to federal control, the way it was since its founding. Meanwhile, juvenile penalties for violent crimes need to be increased. How about spending all the time until age 21 in Juvenile Hall? How about prosecuting violent criminals, like strong-arm robbers which these “youths” are, as adults.

Oh, by the way. “Shoplifting” is concealing an object under your coat and exiting without paying. Attacking in groups, intimidating shoppers and employees, and exiting with bags of goods is strong-arm robbery, a felony. Calling looting “shoplifting” helps nobody except the looters.

How a nation takes care of its cities tells a lot about its people. People who let their capital be overrun by crime have nothing to boast about, and surely should not lecture other nations about how to handle their affairs.

‘Big Balls’ beaten in DC: Trump warns District after Edward Coristine attack