Reporter tells Trump harrowing story about how she was mugged on streets of DC

President Donald Trump allowed a White House correspondent to describe an incident where she was mugged during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

Since Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to combat crime in the district on Aug. 11, National Guard troops and federal law enforcement personnel have been carrying out patrols in the nation’s capital. NTD White House correspondent Iris Tao was called on by Trump during the meeting.

“My name is Iris Tao, I’m a White House correspondent for NTD, the sister media of The Epoch Times. So, more than two years ago, it was a Saturday morning in broad daylight,” Tso said. “I was on my way to work, and a young man with a black ski mask pointed a gun on my face and threatened me to hand over my phone, my wallet, my laptop, and everything else. And when I refused, he used the butt of his handgun to strike me across the face, the cheek, or what some people call pistol-whip me before running away.”

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“And that has deeply traumatized myself and my family ever since. I’ve never dared to walk in the streets of D.C. at night ever,” Tao continued. “And my family was extremely worried. So, Mr. President, thank you so much for what you’re doing right now.”

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine, known by the moniker “Big Balls,” was severely injured by a group of “youths” when he intervened to prevent a carjacking in August. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern for Republican Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas, was fatally shot on June 30.

“So, you had a gun pointed at your head and you probably figured that he’s going to pull the trigger because these are animals that don’t know what the hell — they couldn’t care less. Pulling the trigger to him is a very minor event, and I’m sure he’s done it before,” Trump said, summarizing Tao’s description of the incident. “So how did you — and you did refuse to give it, which would probably, maybe somebody would say that was not the right decision, right? But you refused. But I understand that. So — and then he hit you real hard.”

“It’s really amazing that you weren’t shot,” Trump added after Tao confirmed he accurately summarized her story, with Tao responding, “I’m very blessed and that’s why having this opportunity to stand here to share my story today, one I’m very grateful for God for allowing me to still survive to this day, but also to Mr. President, thank you for now making D.C. safer.”

Since Trump launched the crackdown in the nation’s capital, 1,094 arrests have been made and 115 guns have been seized, according to a Tuesday post on X by Attorney General Pam Bondi.