Trump’s DOJ Spent Months Trying to Prosecute a Sandwich – And Lost in Embarrassing Court Defeat

A former Justice Department paralegal who went viral over the summer for throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal officer during President Donald Trump’s deployment of paramilitary-style agents in Washington, D.C., has been found not guilty of all charges.

Sean Dunn, quickly nicknamed the “D.C. Sandwich Guy,” was cleared Thursday after the Trump administration spent months attempting to prosecute him—first on a felony assault charge, and later on a misdemeanor.

The incident unfolded when heavily armed Customs and Border Protection officers were stationed in D.C. during Trump’s federal “public order” surge. Dunn allegedly shouted, “I don’t want you in my city!” and “fascists!” before tossing the wrapped sandwich at agent Gregory Lairmore, who was wearing full tactical gear. The sandwich caused no injury.

Lairmore later testified that the sandwich “kind of exploded” on his vest and that he could “smell the onions and mustard.”

Dunn later admitted to police, “I did it. I threw a sandwich.”

The next evening, federal agents staged a dramatic late-night arrest at Dunn’s apartment—footage the Trump administration proudly circulated online. At the time, Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Dunn of “disrespecting law enforcement” and said the DOJ would not tolerate such behavior from government employees. Dunn was fired shortly afterward.

But federal prosecutors struggled to make the case stick. A grand jury refused to indict Dunn for felony assault—an outcome considered extremely rare given how easily federal prosecutors usually secure indictments. The government then attempted to pursue a misdemeanor charge instead. That, too, fell apart in court.

“I’m relieved and looking forward to moving on with my life,” Dunn said after the verdict.

The failed prosecution wasn’t an isolated effort. The administration also attempted—but ultimately abandoned—felony charges against Sidney Lori Reid, a D.C. resident accused of putting herself between ICE agents and someone they were detaining. Prosecutors reportedly took her case to three grand juries and still could not secure an indictment.

The Dunn verdict highlights a pattern: Trump officials trying to criminalize public resistance to their aggressive law enforcement deployments—only to be repeatedly shut down in court.

Watch the moment below:
(Video via X)

The @FBI arrested this individual last night.

He has been charged with felony assault on a federal officer. pic.twitter.com/GY2DBr9rUP

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 14, 2025

Joseph Johnson

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