Sean Charles Dunn, a Washington, D.C., resident, threw a sandwich at a federal agent as a form of protest, sparking a debate over whether this action constitutes a federal offense.
During Dunn’s trial on a misdemeanour assault charge, assistant U.S. attorney John Parron emphasized that throwing objects at people out of anger is unacceptable behavior.
Dunn admits to throwing his sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent outside a nightclub on August 10, intending it as a symbolic act against President Donald Trump’s law-enforcement measures in the capital.
In defense, attorney Julia Gatto argued that the sandwich throw was a harmless expression of dissent after Dunn voiced his opposition, asserting his innocence.
A viral bystander video captured Dunn’s sandwich throw, transforming him into a symbol of anti-Trump resistance, with murals depicting the incident appearing across the city overnight.
Despite acknowledging the act, Gatto reiterated to the jurors that Dunn’s actions, including the sandwich throw, were unfairly escalated by the U.S. Attorney’s office into a federal criminal case.
You could smell the onions and the mustard.– Gregory Lairmore, CBP agent
Initially, a grand jury declined to indict Dunn on a felony assault charge, leading to a misdemeanour charge by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office.
CBP agent Gregory Lairmore testified that the thrown sandwich hit him hard, causing it to burst, with the scent of onions and mustard lingering in the air.
During the incident outside the club, Dunn verbally confronted the CBP agents, hurling insults and chants of disapproval at them, as recalled by Lairmore.
Agents attempted to defuse the situation as Dunn displayed intense anger and hostility, expressing his opinions vehemently, which Lairmore acknowledged as his right to do so.
Agents joked about it, court hears
After throwing the sandwich, Dunn fled but was apprehended shortly after.
Following the incident’s widespread circulation on social media, Lairmore’s colleagues light-heartedly teased him with sandwich-themed gifts, suggesting a sense of humor about the event.
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