A former employee of the Justice Department, who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during the law enforcement initiative under President Donald Trump in Washington, was acquitted of assault charges on Thursday. The incident, captured in a viral video, turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of opposition to Trump’s use of federal agents to address crime in the capital. The misdemeanor acquittal is seen as a setback for prosecutors who have faced criticism for their handling of cases stemming from the law enforcement surge.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Dunn violated the law by throwing a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent on the night of Aug. 10. Dunn’s defense team contended that the act was a harmless gesture and a form of protected protest under the First Amendment, urging the jury to acquit him of the misdemeanor assault charge.
Following the verdict, Dunn expressed relief and a desire to move forward with his life. He did not testify during the trial, but a body camera recording captured him admitting to throwing the sandwich as a distraction tactic. Despite a grand jury’s refusal to indict Dunn on a felony assault charge, prosecutors pursued a misdemeanor charge against him.
Dunn’s confrontation with CBP agents, where he called them derogatory names and threw the sandwich, was met with a restrained response from the agents involved. Testimony revealed that the sandwich hit the agent’s chest with force, leaving an impact even through his protective vest.
The defense argued that Dunn was unfairly targeted for his political speech, pointing to his subsequent arrest and termination from his Justice Department position. The case against Dunn includes charges of assaulting a federal officer, resisting arrest, and interfering with law enforcement, contrasting with the leniency shown to individuals involved in the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.
Despite his release from custody, Dunn was rearrested during a raid on his home by armed federal agents. The incident has raised concerns about selective prosecution and retaliation against Dunn for his political views.