On a notable Wednesday in Washington, D.C., a man formerly employed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) was charged for allegedly throwing a sandwich at a federal law enforcement officer. This incident took place amid a backdrop of significant unrest in the city, where President Donald Trump had recently initiated a controversial takeover of the local police department, prompting an intensified federal law enforcement presence.
Attorney General Pam Bondi took to social media on Thursday to announce the termination of the individual’s employment in light of the incident. According to a source, the man, Sean Charles Dunn, held a position as an international affairs specialist in the Criminal Division of the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs.
In her announcement, Bondi emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you.” She made it clear that Dunn was fired and that felony charges were to be laid against him. Bondi went on to label the sandwich attack as indicative of the “Deep State” that her administration has fought against in recent months while endeavoring to refocus the DOJ. Her resolute message conveyed a stance that disrespectful behavior towards government employees or law enforcement would not be tolerated, reinforcing her commitment to upholding the integrity of the administration.
The police report detailed how Dunn confronted a group of officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 14th Street in Northwest D.C. during a Sunday night altercation. He referred to the officers as “fascists” while hurling verbally aggressive remarks, questioning their presence in the city and proclaiming, “I don’t want you in my city!” Following this verbal confrontation, Dunn apparently returned after initially crossing the street, at which point he threw what was described as a “sub-style sandwich” at one of the officers, hitting them in the chest. Dunn’s attempt to flee the scene was thwarted by the police, who later arrested him.
As per court documents, Dunn reportedly confessed during processing. He admitted, “I did it. I threw a sandwich,” and as a result, was charged with assaulting a federal officer. Currently, Dunn has yet to enter a plea regarding the felony assault charge. Media outlets, including CNN, have attempted to reach out to his attorney for further comment.
U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, celebrated Dunn’s arrest in a video shared on social media, asserting that law enforcement would be supported aggressively. Her comment, “We’re going to back the police to the hilt. So there, stick your Subway sandwich somewhere else,” illustrates the charged political climate surrounding the incident. Pirro emphasized that police officers deserve respect and should not be subjected to violence or abuse while performing their duties, reiterating her unwavering support for law enforcement.
The White House also weighed in on the event, with Abigail Jackson, a spokeswoman, confirming that assaulting a law enforcement officer constitutes a criminal offense. She disclosed that the Trump administration is committed to standing behind law enforcement and ensuring that those who perpetrate violence against officers face consequences.
The sandwich-throwing incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions as President Trump recently ordered an influx of federal officers to combat what he perceives as rampant crime in D.C. Conversely, local crime statistics indicate that violent crime rates have actually decreased over the past two years since peaking in 2023.
In a notable escalation of federal authority, Trump has taken control of the city’s police department while also deploying troops from the National Guard, with plans to further increase their presence. The political and social ramifications of this incident continue to unfold, highlighting the complex dynamics between local, state, and federal authorities at a time of escalating national tension.
