New U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro Pledges to Crack Down on Youth Crime in D.C.

In a bold and controversial move, newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, has announced her intention to push for changes to how young violent offenders are prosecuted in the nation’s capital.

Pirro, who was confirmed to her position earlier this week just before the Senate began its summer recess, joined Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Wednesday night to discuss the rising crime in Washington, D.C., and the challenges she says law enforcement faces when trying to hold young offenders accountable.

“Washington, D.C. is experiencing a surge in serious violent crime,” Pirro told Ingraham during the interview. “We’re nearing 100 homicides this year already. People say crime is down, but the reality is the violence we’re seeing is more brutal, more deadly.”

Pirro highlighted skyrocketing carjackings, noting a more than 100% increase compared to previous years. “We have carjackings up 111%. This is not just a blip — it’s a pattern,” she said.

Pirro, a former judge and television commentator, said she had spoken directly with former President Donald Trump about the issue. According to her, Trump emphasized the importance of restoring law and order in the capital.

“The president told me, ‘Make D.C. safe again. Enforce the law. Hold people accountable,’” Pirro said. “And I agree with him. That’s what I intend to do.”

One of Pirro’s most urgent concerns is the legal system’s treatment of juvenile offenders. Currently, many teenagers charged with violent crimes are handled by the family court system, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Pirro argued that this approach is failing to deter youth crime.

“I had a case involving two 15-year-olds who beat up a young White House staffer. He ended up with a broken nose and a serious concussion. But because of their age, these kids don’t even come to my office,” Pirro explained. “They go to family court where they’re treated like victims, not criminals.”

Pirro said that violent youth groups — or “crews,” as they are often called locally — have grown more brazen, partly because they know the consequences will be minimal.

“They’re not afraid. They know that at 14, 15, or 16, they’re going to get a slap on the wrist,” she said. “The system is protecting them more than the public.”

She is now calling for the legal age of adult criminal responsibility to be lowered to 14 in Washington, D.C., arguing that this change is necessary to restore deterrence and public safety.

“We have to stop coddling violent offenders just because they’re young,” Pirro said. “If they’re old enough to carjack someone or beat someone within an inch of their life, they’re old enough to face real consequences.”

Pirro also blasted the D.C. Council, blaming local lawmakers for policies that she believes have contributed to a culture of leniency toward youth offenders. She criticized laws that restrict the incarceration of minors, citing a recent case in which a young person who committed a shooting with an illegal firearm received probation.

“We had a guy who shot someone on a bus with an illegal gun — and the judge gave him probation and told him to go to college,” Pirro said in disbelief. “That should be unacceptable. Possessing an illegal firearm should land you in jail — and that’s before we even talk about the shooting itself.”

According to Pirro, the result of these policies is a justice system that allows organized crews to operate with little fear of consequences. Older criminals, she said, are exploiting the system by sending younger members to commit violent crimes, knowing they’ll be treated more leniently.

“These kids are being used. The older ones know they won’t get charged as adults, so they send them out to do the dirty work,” said Ingraham during the segment. Pirro agreed, saying, “They absolutely understand how the system works — and how to get around it.”

Pirro concluded the interview with a clear message: “This has to stop. The violence, the lawlessness, the lack of accountability — it’s not just a problem for D.C. It’s a national disgrace. That’s what the president wants me to change. And I’m going to fight every day to make sure we restore order and safety to this city.