U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a Fox News interview that she intends to pursue policy changes that would allow more juvenile offenders in Washington, D.C. to be charged as adults, including lowering the age threshold for criminal responsibility in violent cases.
Speaking with host Laura Ingraham, Pirro pointed to what she described as rising violent crime in the city, citing homicides and carjackings as key indicators of public safety concerns. She argued that while some official statistics suggest certain categories of crime may be stable or declining, the severity and lethality of violence have increased.
Pirro said she had recently discussed crime trends and enforcement priorities with President Donald Trump and framed her approach as aligned with his push for stricter law enforcement in the District. She emphasized accountability for repeat offenders and criticized what she described as lenient treatment of juveniles involved in serious crimes.
A central focus of her remarks was the juvenile justice system in D.C., which currently routes many offenders under 18 into family or juvenile court rather than adult criminal court. Pirro argued that this system limits prosecutors’ ability to pursue meaningful consequences for violent offenses committed by teenagers.
She highlighted a recent assault case involving a young White House intern who was reportedly attacked by a group of teenagers, including 15-year-olds. According to Pirro, cases like this demonstrate what she sees as gaps in the system that allow serious offenses to be handled in juvenile court with limited penalties.
Pirro said she supports lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14 for violent crimes, arguing that current policies “coddle” young offenders and contribute to repeat criminal behavior. She also criticized local policies and court decisions she believes prioritize rehabilitation over punishment in cases involving violent conduct or illegal firearms.
She pointed to broader crime trends in Washington, including increases in carjackings, and argued that some offenders are exploiting the juvenile system by using younger participants to avoid harsher penalties.
Ingraham echoed those concerns during the interview, suggesting that younger offenders are sometimes used by older individuals to carry out crimes because of lighter consequences in juvenile court.
Pirro said she plans to pursue stricter enforcement policies in her role as U.S. attorney, emphasizing prosecution of violent offenses and illegal firearm possession. She argued that stronger accountability measures are necessary to deter crime and improve public safety in the District.
Her remarks come amid ongoing national debates over juvenile justice reform, crime policy in major cities, and the balance between rehabilitation and incarceration for young offenders involved in violent crimes.
