Musk backs federalizing D.C., pointing to assault on DOGE staffer

Former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk on Tuesday backed President Donald Trump's threat to federalize Washington, D.C., if it failed to crack down on crime, highlighting a recent incident in which a DOGE staffer was assaulted.

"A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC," he posted on X. "A [DOGE] team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC."

Trump, in his post, specifically pointed to criminal activity by locals under the age of 18 and called on the city to prosecute minors as young as 14 as adults.

D.C. enjoys so-called "Home Rule" by act of Congress and its law may be subject to federal override. Congress has, in recent years, overruled city plans to lower minimum sentences and calls to end local government have grown louder in recent years, especially amid crime waves.