Washington, D.C. – A Justice Department staffer, Sean Charles Dunn, 37, has been fired and charged with felony assault after admitting to throwing a "sub-style" sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on Sunday night, August 10, on 14th Street NW, amidst heightened federal law enforcement presence in the city. Dunn's actions were captured on video and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Dunn's termination and the charges on Thursday, stating, "I just learned that this defendant worked at the Department of Justice — NO LONGER. Not only is he FIRED, he has been charged with a felony." She further emphasized the administration's stance, asserting, "You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement." Dunn had been employed as an international affairs specialist within the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
According to court documents, Dunn allegedly confronted a group of federal officers, yelling obscenities and calling them "fascists." He reportedly shouted, "Why are you here? I don't want you in my city!" before forcefully throwing the sandwich at a CBP agent. After attempting to flee, Dunn was apprehended and later confessed to the act, telling officers, "I did it. I threw a sandwich."
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the felony charges, commenting on the severity of the offense. "He thought it was funny. Well, he doesn't think it's funny today, because we charged him with a felony assault on a police officer," Pirro said in a video statement. The charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison.
The incident unfolds against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's directive to deploy federal agents and National Guard troops to D.C. as part of a "crackdown on crime." This move has been met with controversy, as local officials and statistics indicate that violent crime in the city has reached a 30-year low. The increased federal presence has drawn mixed reactions from D.C. residents, with some expressing concern over the federal intervention.