Trial starts for assault case against D.C. man who tossed sandwich at federal agent in viral video
Source: PBS News/AP
Pedestrians in Washington, D.C., pass a sign depicting a man throwing a sandwich, used as a symbol of protest, after President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention over the summer. Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters
Nov 3, 2025 4:26 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) Throwing a sandwich at a federal agent turned Sean Charles Dunn into a symbol of resistance against President Donald Trumps law-enforcement surge in the nations capital. This week, federal prosecutors are trying to persuade a jury of fellow Washington, D.C., residents that Dunn simply broke the law.
That could be a tough sell for the government in a city that has chafed against Trumps federal takeover, which is entering its third month. A grand jury refused to indict Dunn on a felony assault count before U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirros office opted to charge him instead with a misdemeanor.
Securing a trial conviction could prove to be equally challenging for Justice Department prosecutors in Washington, where murals glorifying Dunns sandwich toss popped up virtually overnight.
Before jury selection started Monday, the judge presiding over Dunns trial seemed to acknowledge how unusual it is for a case like this to be heard in federal court. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, said he expects the trial to last no more than two days because its the simplest case in the world.
Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trial-starts-for-assault-case-against-d-c-man-who-tossed-sandwich-at-federal-agent-in-viral-video
REFERENCES
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143512758
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143519611
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143520364
Justice Brandeis
(391 posts)They really want to go after this guy, I guess.
questionseverything
(11,484 posts)So the prosecutor is charging him with misdemeanor charges ( that dont need a grand jury)
Irish_Dem
(77,969 posts)What a joke.
SSJVegeta
(2,042 posts)But a waste of resources regardless
2MuchNoise
(608 posts)Polybius
(21,175 posts)Irish_Dem
(77,969 posts)RazorbackExpat
(768 posts)If it's not THE stupidest, it's absolutely ONE of the stupidest
BumRushDaShow
(163,346 posts)They couldn't get a grand jury to indict on a felony assault charge and were left with a misdemeanor charge.
questionseverything
(11,484 posts)So Idk
BumRushDaShow
(163,346 posts)They had to go with a misdemeanor.
ETA from the linked article in one of the OP comments "REFERENCE" OPs - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143519611
(https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/grand-jury-declines-indict-sandwich-guy-threw-sub-dc-federal-officer-rcna227464)
The federal charges against Dunn were initially filed by criminal complaint, but prosecutors are required to secure an indictment from a grand jury made up of Washington residents within 30 days under the Speedy Trial Act, a federal law. Dunn is due to make a preliminary appearance in federal court on Sept. 4.
It is unclear whether prosecutors will once again try to get another grand jury to indict Dunn before his next court appearance. If they fail to secure an indictment, they would have to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor offense, which could still expose Dunn to up to a year behind bars.
(snip)
LetMyPeopleVote
(172,659 posts)Jim__
(15,014 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(172,659 posts)bucolic_frolic
(53,259 posts)azureblue
(2,617 posts)for SLAPP or malicious prosecution? The charges were laughable in the first place, but LEOs make a habit of flinging charges just to cost the defendant money in legal fees, or make them plead guilty out of poverty..
reACTIONary
(6,851 posts).... mount "malicious prosecution" as a defense and petition for the charges to be dropped. But that is very, very, very, to many nines of very's, unlikely. Even Comy, who has a very good case for that defense is not being given good chances.
republianmushroom
(22,078 posts)eggplant
(4,121 posts)reACTIONary
(6,851 posts)... Why not food?
bluestarone
(20,783 posts)Charge of littering.
Aussie105
(7,408 posts)Monty Python skit in the making!
Judge: What is this sad example of humanity charged with?
Stealing a sheep, an apple, a horse?
Lawyer: Much worse than that, your Honor!
He attacked an upstanding enforcer of the law!
Judge: Attack? What with? Sword, knife, stick?
Lawyer: Much worse, your honor!
It was a stale sandwich, hard as, thrown with some force, the enforcer of the law was both frightened and hurt!
Judge: Damn, I'm suddenly hungry!
What sort of sandwich was it?
Lawyer: Undisclosed, milord.
Judge: Such depravity shall not stand!
Off to the Penal Colonies with you, you fiend!
(Little known fact: The Australian Island of Tasmania was settled initially by convicts, sent from Mother England for trivial crimes. Stealing a chicken an apple, etc.)
BidenRocks
(2,519 posts)how agents were claiming actual harm, until the projectile was shown to be a sub.
First they go for a felony and have false info spread and when exposed, try again just to inflict some monetary loss and a year in jail.
Fuck 'this' America!
chouchou
(2,607 posts)....vibrate my anger all the way up to: "You fucking Asshole" That's it. period
Also..if the damn thing hit another agent (and he/her pressed charges) I'd look down on him/Her
as Royal Chicken Shit and never want to work with them..
Javaman
(64,914 posts)If it were, say, tuna, we would be more lenient. but that pastrami was dry! someone could have lost an eye!!!!"
Efilroft Sul
(4,239 posts)walkingman
(10,109 posts)is when a jury returns a "not guilty" verdict even when they believe the defendant broke the law, often because they find the law itself to be unjust, immoral, or wrongly applied.
LetMyPeopleVote
(172,659 posts)