In an exclusive television appearance that has captured the nation’s attention, former DOGE employee Edward Coristine, known to the public by the moniker “Big Balls,” broke his silence on the brutal late-night ambush that left him bloodied and beaten on the streets of Washington, D.C. Appearing on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, Coristine provided a harrowing, firsthand account of the violence he endured, a story that the liberal media has largely downplayed or framed with apologetic language for the perpetrators. His testimony stands as a stark indictment of the failed, soft-on-crime policies that have festered in American cities, creating an environment where such brazen attacks are not only possible but are becoming increasingly common.
Detailing the events of that terrifying night, Coristine described the moment he realized he and his friend were in grave danger. “Yeah, I was just hanging out with a group of my friends late at night and at about 3 a.m. we were wrapping up, and I was walking one of my friends back to her car and as we’re walking to the car there’s a group of 10 guys right across the street,” he recounted. This simple, mundane act of walking a friend to her vehicle was suddenly transformed into a life-or-death situation, a scenario familiar to law-abiding citizens who have watched with horror as crime rates have skyrocketed in urban centers under negligent leadership that prioritizes political correctness over public safety.
The situation escalated with terrifying speed, a testament to the predatory nature of the mob that targeted them. “And as we get to the car and she begins to fumble for the keys, they start shouting at us, and really quickly I knew something was really off about the situation,” Coristine told Watters. His instincts, the kind that every citizen should be able to rely on for their personal security, immediately signaled that they were in imminent peril. This is the direct result of a culture that has been cultivated by progressive district attorneys and city officials who have systematically dismantled law and order, leaving victims to fend for themselves against packs of violent offenders.
In a moment of heroic clarity, Coristine’s sole focus was on protecting his friend from the impending violence. “So she unlocks the car, I rush her into the driver’s seat, she’s able to close the door behind her and lock the doors and right as I turn around, they run up on me,” he stated. His selfless action ensured her safety, placing his own body as a shield between her and the mob of at least ten individuals. This is the kind of American courage that stands in direct opposition to the cowardly violence of the attackers and the feckless rhetoric of those who make excuses for them. While the liberal media often seeks to rationalize such behavior, Coristine’s account leaves no room for ambiguity: this was a vicious, unprovoked assault.
What followed was a brutal and one-sided beating, a consequence of the lawlessness that has been allowed to flourish. “They’re just a few feet away. And they slam me against the car. They start throwing a bunch of punches. I keep my hands up. just like, alright, I’m getting a lot of punches here,” Coristine described. The image of a single man, hands raised in a defensive posture, being mercilessly pummeled by a large group is a devastatingly powerful symbol of the current state of crime in Democrat-run cities. It is a visual representation of the vulnerability that citizens feel when their leaders abandon their most fundamental duty—to protect the innocent.
Miraculously, the ordeal was cut short, though not by the community interventions or social programs often touted by the left as the solution to crime. “I’m just trying to protect my head the best way that I can. And luckily, the whole thing didn’t last too long. The police showed up pretty quickly,” he added. It was the swift response of law enforcement, the very institutions that are so often vilified and defunded by progressive activists, that prevented this attack from becoming a homicide. This critical detail underscores the indispensable role that police play in maintaining public order and saving lives.
Reflecting on his injuries, Coristine displayed a resilience that is quintessentially American. “So I was very fortunate. I only came out with a broken nose and a concussion. It could have been a lot worse,” he said. His gratitude in the face of such trauma is admirable, but no citizen in the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth should have to consider themselves “fortunate” for surviving a near-fatal mob beating while simply walking down the street. This incident is not an isolated event; it is a symptom of a systemic breakdown, a direct result of the anarchy permitted by weak leadership that has refused to uphold the rule of law.
🚨 JUST IN: DOGE's Big Balls speaks out for the first time since he was beaten by thugs in DC
He told the entire story of being attacked while attempting to save his friend from being carjacked.
So glad he's doing better. This guy is a patriot and a hero.
WATTERS: "You… pic.twitter.com/KpIRqvh2X3
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 30, 2025
In a powerful show of support that stands in stark contrast to the silence from much of the media and political left, President Donald Trump immediately brought national attention to Coristine’s plight. The President posted a photo of Coristine’s battered face, forcing the country to confront the grim reality of urban violence. Furthermore, demonstrating the decisive action that true leadership demands, President Trump has since moved to federalize the District of Columbia to crack down on the very crime that victimized Edward Coristine. This bold move showcases a President who is willing to use the full force of the federal government to protect American citizens, a commitment to law and order that provides a clear and necessary alternative to the chaos that prevails under liberal governance.