The City on Edge: Secrets, Power, and a Prosecutor’s War on D.C. Crime
DC’s Top Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro Blasts City Council After Teen’s Arrest in Congressional Intern’s Murder
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro delivered a blistering rebuke of the D.C. City Council on Thursday, accusing lawmakers of enabling an ongoing surge in violent crime through what she called “reckless and dangerous” justice reforms.
Her remarks came during a tense press conference updating the public on the murder of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, whose June 30 killing shocked Capitol Hill. Authorities have now arrested three suspects — two 17-year-olds and 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas, who police say is also linked to another homicide that occurred days later.
Pirro’s Frustration Boils Over
Pirro, known nationally for her tough-on-crime stance and fiery courtroom style, unleashed her anger at what she described as the city’s “culture of leniency.”
“We are watching Washington crumble from the inside out,” she said. “When violent offenders are released with barely a slap on the wrist, when armed robberies are downgraded, and carjackings are treated like minor offenses — you’re telling criminals this city is theirs for the taking.”
Her voice wavered only slightly when speaking about Tarpinian-Jachym. “Eric should still be alive. He came here with a purpose — to serve his country. Instead, he became another victim of policies that prioritize offenders over the innocent.”
A City in Crisis
Washington, D.C. has struggled with a sharp rise in violent crime over the last two years. Police data show the city has already surpassed 170 homicides in 2025, putting it on track for one of its deadliest years in decades.
Critics blame a series of controversial justice reforms passed by the D.C. Council that reduced sentences for certain crimes, expanded early-release programs for juveniles, and limited pretrial detention.
Pirro argued that those measures have created a “revolving door of repeat offenders.”
“When a teenager commits an armed robbery and walks free in a matter of weeks, that’s not rehabilitation — that’s recklessness,” she said. “If local systems won’t enforce accountability, we’ll find federal ways to do it.”
She added that her office is now considering federal charges for chronic violent offenders to sidestep what she called a “broken local court system.”
Remembering the Victim
Friends and colleagues describe Eric Tarpinian-Jachym as intelligent, compassionate, and deeply committed to public service. He was working in the office of Representative Ron Estes (R-KS) when he was fatally shot while walking home from a gathering near Capitol Hill.
According to police, the suspects attempted to rob Tarpinian-Jachym of his phone and wallet before one of them opened fire. Two teenage suspects were arrested soon after the killing; Lucas, the third suspect, was captured this week in Maryland after months on the run.
Authorities say Lucas is also accused of killing 17-year-old Zoey Kelley just four days later, on July 4, during an argument over a stolen car.
Rep. Estes mourned the loss of his young intern, describing him as “one of the brightest minds I’ve ever met.”
“Eric believed in the promise of America,” Estes said. “His death isn’t just a tragedy — it’s a warning about what’s happening to our communities.”
A Pattern of Youth Violence
Prosecutors allege that both killings highlight a disturbing pattern of rising youth-involved gun violence.
“These aren’t isolated incidents,” Pirro said. “We’ve created a system where young people are told they can shoot, steal, and kill — and still get another chance. Rehabilitation is important, but justice cannot be optional.”
Pirro called for tougher sentencing laws for violent juveniles, stricter parole oversight, and renewed federal involvement in local enforcement.
Council Pushes Back
The D.C. Council, which recently overrode a mayoral veto to enact its latest round of criminal justice reforms, quickly fired back. Council Chair Phil Mendelson called Pirro’s comments “politically charged and irresponsible.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s role is to prosecute cases, not politicize them,” Mendelson said. “We want safer neighborhoods too, but returning to failed mass-incarceration tactics isn’t the answer.”
Pirro dismissed those criticisms outright. “Justice means protecting law-abiding people from predators,” she said. “If city leaders won’t do their jobs, I’ll do mine — every single day.”
Next Steps and Public Reaction
Pirro announced the launch of a joint federal-local task force to tackle youth gun crimes and carjackings, combining efforts from the FBI, ATF, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The task force will target criminal groups that recruit minors for violent acts.
“We’re not here to make speeches,” she said. “We’re here to fight for every victim who never got a second chance.”
Public reaction has been divided. Some residents praised Pirro’s remarks as overdue truth-telling, while others accused her of exploiting tragedy for political gain.
“She’s saying what everyone’s thinking,” said local resident Marcus Greene, whose cousin was killed last year. “These kids keep getting chances — their victims don’t.”
Community advocate Janelle Porter disagreed. “We can’t solve this by locking up more kids,” she said. “We need opportunity, not just punishment.”
Still, as D.C. mourns the loss of another young life, Pirro’s words have reignited a fierce debate about justice, reform, and the future of the nation’s capital.
“This isn’t about politics,” Pirro concluded. “It’s about saving a city that’s losing its soul.”