Two More Suspects Charged Over Attack on DOGE Staffer

As many as 10 suspects were involved in the August carjacking, with four having been arrested so far.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro speaks at a press conference announcing arrests in the murder of Congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington on Sept. 5, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Two more teenagers have been charged in connection with the August attack on a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer that partially spurred President Donald Trump’s crackdown on crime in the federal district.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, said on Oct. 20 that two suspects were arrested last week in connection with their role in the carjacking attack on DOGE staffer Edward Coristine, 19.

The suspects were identified as Laurence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18. Both were charged with attempted unarmed carjacking, two counts of robbery, and two counts of assault with intent to commit robbery.

A total of 10 people were involved in the carjacking and attack, which left Coristine badly injured. A photo taken after the attack showed Coristine’s face bleeding and bruised.

Earlier in October, Coristine said in a post online that only two of the 10 attackers had been identified and arrested. The arrests of Cotton-Powell and Taylor bring the total number of people arrested for the attack up to four.

Cotton-Powell and Taylor also face charges in another attack and robbery that took place just before the attack against Coristine.

“This case underscores the escalating challenges that we face in confronting crime in Washington, D.C.,” Pirro said at a news conference.

Earlier this month, two 15-year-olds, a boy and a girl, who were involved in the attack, were sentenced to probation, prompting criticism from Trump.

“That’s terrible,” Trump said in response to a question during an Oval Office appearance with top officials to discuss his administration’s crime-fighting initiatives. “The judge should be ashamed of themselves.”

U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro was asked in a separate briefing on Oct. 15 about the sentences.

“That’s why we have to lower the age of responsibility and accountability. We can have a record a mile long while we try to protect these young people under the guise that their prefrontal lobe is not developed. Enough of that,” she said. “The person who is beat to a pulp doesn’t care about the level of their prefrontal lobe, especially if they’re 15 years old.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Oct. 15 that a big issue in Washington is that juveniles only receive “a slap on the wrist,” with judges saying they need rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

“This administration has a completely different philosophy,“ she said. ”We need law and order. Period. If you commit a crime, you’re going to face consequences. If you commit a violent crime, you are going to see jail time.”

Trump has called on Washington, which is run by a city council and mayor, to update its rules to enable the prosecution of youth from age 14 as adults for violent crimes. Minors aged 15 and older can currently be charged as adults for some violent offenses.

Trump referenced the Aug. 3 attack on Coristine when announcing his plans to bring National Guardsmen into Washington and to federalize the Washington Metropolitan Police Department.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.