Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro announced that federal prosecutors will begin targeting parents whose children are repeatedly involved in violent “teen takeovers,” escalating the Trump administration’s aggressive push to crack down on juvenile crime in the nation’s capital.
During a fiery press conference, Pirro warned parents that simply claiming ignorance about their children’s behavior would no longer be enough to avoid criminal consequences.
“Parents, do your job, or we’ll do ours,” Pirro declared.
The announcement marks one of the toughest anti-juvenile-crime initiatives unveiled in Washington in years and comes after months of growing frustration over large groups of teens flooding entertainment districts, assaulting people, vandalizing businesses, and clashing with police in areas like Navy Yard and the U Street Corridor.
Pirro said her office will begin prosecuting parents under Washington’s curfew and delinquency statutes when minors repeatedly violate curfew laws, skip school, possess drugs or alcohol, ignore court orders, or participate in criminal activity connected to the so-called takeovers.
“This is going to be a strict liability crime and a strict liability prosecution,” Pirro said. “You can’t just say, ‘Well, I didn’t know.’”
According to Pirro, penalties could include jail time of up to six months, court-ordered parenting classes, fines, and financial liability for property damage caused by minors.
“Starting now, parents? You’re paying the bills,” she said. “And if you allow them to continue? We’re gonna prosecute you.”
The policy shift comes amid mounting political pressure over rising concerns about youth violence and public disorder across the District.
Videos of massive teen gatherings overwhelming restaurants, retail stores, subway stations, and public streets have circulated widely online over the past year, fueling criticism that city leaders failed to respond aggressively enough.
Pirro sharply criticized the Muriel Bowser administration and the D.C. Council for what she described as years of weak enforcement and political hesitation.
“Parental involvement has been a noted gap in any discussion,” Pirro said. “That ends today.”
The crackdown follows the passage of a controversial youth curfew measure approved earlier this month by the D.C. Council in an 8-5 vote after weeks of heated debate.
The legislation gives the Metropolitan Police authority to establish temporary curfew zones where minors are prohibited from gathering in groups of eight or more after 8 p.m.
Supporters argue the law is necessary to restore public safety after repeated disturbances linked to youth gatherings turned violent. Critics, however, contend the measure unfairly targets young people and risks over-policing minority communities.
The bill passed with amendments introduced by Councilmember Brianne Nadeau that place an expiration date on the curfew powers in 2028 and prohibit officers from sending curfew violators to detention facilities.
Pirro made clear Thursday that she believes the city still has not gone far enough.
“I am not shy about looking for jail time,” she said. “The people of D.C. have had enough.”
Her remarks drew immediate praise from conservatives and law-and-order advocates who have argued that juvenile offenders frequently cycle through the system without meaningful consequences.
Republicans have increasingly highlighted crime in Washington as evidence of broader Democratic failures on policing and criminal justice policy. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized D.C. leadership over public safety issues and used crime concerns to justify a heightened federal presence in the city.
The issue became a major national flashpoint last summer when National Guard troops were deployed to Washington as part of a federal anti-crime initiative after a series of violent incidents involving youth mobs and repeat offenders.
Pirro’s office has already taken a more confrontational posture toward juvenile crime since she assumed the role of U.S. Attorney earlier this year. She has repeatedly appeared alongside law enforcement officials to advocate for tougher penalties, expanded curfew enforcement, and broader prosecutorial authority.
This announcement signals a major expansion of that strategy by directly targeting parents as part of the enforcement effort.
