Federal Grand Jury Declines Indictment in High-Profile 'Sandwich Thrower' Case

Washington D.C. – A federal grand jury has reportedly declined to indict Sean Charles Dunn, a former Justice Department employee, who was dramatically re-arrested by a large contingent of federal agents in August 2025 after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection officer. The re-arrest, which followed Dunn's initial release, was subsequently featured in a highly produced video released by the White House, drawing widespread criticism for its perceived disproportionate response. Dunn had been charged with felony assault on a federal officer.

The incident began on August 10, 2025, when Dunn allegedly hurled a sub-style sandwich at a federal agent in Washington D.C.'s U Street corridor, reportedly calling the officer a "fascist." He was initially apprehended and processed, then released without charges. However, a federal warrant was later issued for his re-arrest.

Days later, on August 13 or 14, 2025, a team of U.S. Marshals and other federal agents, numbering up to 20 and equipped with riot gear, descended on Dunn's home to re-arrest him. This action occurred despite reports that Dunn's attorney was actively working to arrange his voluntary surrender. The White House then released a professionally edited, multi-camera video titled “Nighttime Routine: Operation Make D.C. Safe Again Edition,” showcasing the raid and Dunn in handcuffs. As noted by Billy Binion in a tweet, this included the government sending "a huge group of cops in riot gear to rearrest the sandwich thrower at his home after he’d already appeared in court—so the White House could make a video bragging about it. Unserious behavior."

Following his re-arrest, Dunn was swiftly fired from his position as an international affairs specialist in the Justice Department's criminal division. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern statement, asserting, "You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement." Dunn had faced a felony assault charge, which carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison.

However, federal prosecutors from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office failed to secure a grand jury indictment against Dunn, a rare occurrence in federal cases. This outcome is particularly notable given the legal adage that prosecutors can persuade a grand jury to "indict a ham sandwich," suggesting the low bar for indictment. It marked the second recent instance where Pirro's office failed to obtain an indictment in a high-profile case involving alleged assaults on federal officers during the administration's D.C. law enforcement surge.

The entire episode unfolded amidst President Donald Trump's intensified "law enforcement surge" in Washington D.C., which involved deploying federal agents and National Guard troops and asserting federal control over the Metropolitan Police Department. Critics widely condemned the dramatic re-arrest and the White House's video as political theater and a significant waste of government resources for a relatively minor alleged offense, especially considering Dunn's willingness to surrender.