Newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, is calling for significant changes in how the nation’s capital handles violent juvenile offenders. In a recent interview, Pirro said she will advocate for lowering the age at which young offenders can be prosecuted as adults, citing rising violent crime and what she describes as a lack of accountability for serious offenses committed by teens.
Pirro, a former judge and television host, was confirmed to her post earlier this week. She told Fox News that Washington, D.C., is facing an alarming wave of violent incidents, including a sharp rise in carjackings. According to her, carjacking cases are up over 100% compared to previous years, while homicide numbers remain troubling.
“We’re already at 99 homicides this year,” Pirro said. “You can claim crime is down, but violent incidents are more lethal than ever. We’re seeing a level of brutality that is deeply concerning.”
She shared that she recently discussed the issue directly with former President Donald Trump, who she said urged her to enforce the law aggressively and ensure accountability for offenders—regardless of their age.
Pirro pointed to a recent case involving a young White House staffer who was severely beaten by a group of teenagers. The victim suffered a broken nose and a serious concussion. According to Pirro, two of the suspects—both 15 years old—were arrested, but due to current laws, their cases will not be handled by her office. Instead, they will go through family court, where the focus is rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
“This is part of the problem,” Pirro said. “If you’re 14, 15, 16, or 17, you’re treated as though you’re not responsible for violent acts. That has to change. We must lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 so we can hold these individuals accountable for serious crimes.”
Pirro also criticized the D.C. Council for policies she says have made it harder to prosecute juveniles for violent crimes. She argued that the current approach sends the wrong message to repeat offenders, encouraging them to continue committing crimes without fear of significant consequences.
“D.C. calls these groups ‘crews’ instead of gangs, but the reality is they’re organized, and they’re dangerous,” she said. “If we keep treating them as if they’re just kids who made a mistake, more innocent people are going to get hurt.”
Pirro’s comments come amid a national debate over juvenile justice reform, with many cities wrestling with how to balance rehabilitation for young offenders against public safety concerns. Her proposal to lower the age for adult charges in violent cases is likely to spark strong reactions from both supporters and opponents in the weeks ahead.