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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 \u201cteen takeovers,\u201d escalating the Trump administration\u2019s aggressive push to crack down on juvenile crime in the nation\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a fiery press conference, Pirro warned parents that simply claiming ignorance about their children\u2019s behavior would no longer be enough to avoid criminal consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParents, do your job, or we\u2019ll do ours,\u201d Pirro declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pirro said her office will begin prosecuting parents under Washington\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is going to be a strict liability crime and a strict liability prosecution,\u201d Pirro said. \u201cYou can\u2019t just say, \u2018Well, I didn\u2019t know.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStarting now, parents? You\u2019re paying the bills,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd if you allow them to continue? We\u2019re gonna prosecute you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The policy shift comes amid mounting political pressure over rising concerns about youth violence and public disorder across the District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pirro sharply criticized the Muriel Bowser administration and the D.C. Council for what she described as years of weak enforcement and political hesitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParental involvement has been a noted gap in any discussion,\u201d Pirro said. \u201cThat ends today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n