A former Justice Department employee who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during a Trump-era law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., has been acquitted of assault. The verdict marks another setback for prosecutors handling cases related to former President Donald Trump’s 2020 federal intervention.
Sean Charles Dunn, 37, faced a misdemeanor assault charge. On Thursday, the jury ruled that his actions did not amount to a crime. The decision came nearly five years after the incident, which was recorded on video and quickly went viral. That footage made Dunn a symbol of protest against Trump’s use of federal agents in local cities.
Prosecutors initially sought a felony indictment, but the grand jury declined. As a result, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office filed a lesser misdemeanor charge.
A Protest That Became a Legal Battle
The confrontation took place on August 10, 2020, outside a Washington nightclub hosting a “Latin Night” event. Dunn threw a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent who was standing with other officers. Prosecutors said Dunn shouted “fascists” and “racists,” and yelled, “Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!” before throwing the sandwich.
Police body camera footage later captured Dunn admitting his actions. “I did it. I threw a sandwich,” he said. “I did it to draw them away from where they were. I succeeded.”
Prosecutors claimed Dunn acted intentionally and broke the law. However, his defense team countered that it was a symbolic protest — an act protected under the First Amendment.
Jury Rejects the Assault Charge
After deliberation, the jury found Dunn not guilty. They decided that his actions, though provocative, did not meet the legal definition of assault. Following the verdict, Dunn embraced his lawyers and spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.
“I was standing up for what I believed in,” he said. “Every life matters, no matter where you came from or how you got here. Everyone deserves to live free.”
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Defense attorney Sabrina Shroff celebrated the decision, saying the verdict showed that “dissent is not just tolerated — it is legal and welcome.”
Prosecution Defends Its Case
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that her office respected the verdict. Still, she insisted that “law enforcement should never be subjected to assault, no matter how minor.”
“Even children know that when they are angry, they are not allowed to throw objects at one another,” Pirro added.
Meanwhile, CBP Agent Gregory Lairmore, who was hit by the sandwich, described how it “exploded” on his chest. He said he could smell onions and mustard through his ballistic vest. Later, his colleagues gave him gag gifts — a sandwich-shaped plush toy and a patch that read “felony footlong.” He admitted keeping them as lighthearted souvenirs.
Firing and Political Fallout
Shortly after the incident, Dunn was fired from his position as a paralegal at the Justice Department. Then–Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his dismissal on social media, calling him “an example of the Deep State,” a phrase often used by Trump supporters.
Dunn’s attorneys argued that prosecutors targeted him for political reasons. They pointed to a professional video of his arrest that the White House shared online. The footage showed armed federal agents in riot gear raiding his home. According to the defense, the prosecution was “vindictive” and aimed to silence dissent against Trump’s policies.
Broader Context and Aftermath
Dunn’s case was one of several tied to Trump’s federal law enforcement deployment in 2020. Critics said the initiative increased tensions during nationwide protests over policing and racial justice. Moreover, his acquittal followed a series of similar outcomes where courts reduced or dismissed charges against protesters accused of minor clashes with federal officers.
At the same time, dozens of Trump supporters convicted of assaulting police during the January 6 Capitol riot later received pardons or had charges dropped by Trump.
In the end, Dunn said the verdict closed a difficult and politically charged chapter of his life. “I’m ready to move on with my life,” he said.
Source: AP News – Man who threw sandwich at federal agent in Washington is found not guilty of assault charge
