A Justice Department staffer has been fired and charged with felony assault after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during a street patrol in Washington, D.C.
At a Glance
- Incident occurred on August 10, 2025, in downtown Washington, D.C.
- DOJ employee Sean Charles Dunn allegedly threw a sub-style sandwich at a CBP agent
- Dunn was apprehended and reportedly confessed on the scene
- Felony assault charge carries up to eight years in prison
- Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Dunn’s immediate termination
The Incident
According to court filings, the confrontation began when Dunn, 37, approached CBP agents conducting foot patrols along 14th Street NW in Washington, D.C. He allegedly shouted profanities and statements opposing their presence in the city before throwing a sandwich at one of the officers. The sandwich reportedly struck the agent in the arm.
Watch now: Footage shows man throwing sandwich at US border agent · YouTube
Dunn attempted to leave the scene but was stopped nearby by other officers. According to charging documents, he admitted to the act without hesitation, telling authorities, “I did it. I threw the sandwich.”
Official Response
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the firing in a press conference on August 14, stating that Dunn’s conduct was incompatible with his position in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. She also confirmed that the case is being prosecuted under federal statutes governing assault on officers.
The charge—assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees—carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison when the victim is a federal officer engaged in official duties. Bondi emphasized that the decision to terminate Dunn’s employment was immediate and final.
Broader Context
The incident occurred against the backdrop of an increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., ordered by President Donald Trump as part of a declared “crime emergency.” Federal agencies have been conducting visible patrols in parts of the city, even as local crime statistics show an overall decline in violent offenses compared with previous years.
Critics of the expanded patrols have questioned the necessity and proportionality of federal involvement in local policing. Supporters argue the measures are necessary to maintain order and deter potential threats. The sandwich-throwing incident has drawn public attention not only because of the unusual nature of the alleged assault but also because it touches on broader tensions between federal officers and some segments of the local population.
Next Steps
Dunn is scheduled to appear in federal court later this month. Prosecutors have not commented on whether they will seek the maximum penalty. Legal analysts note that while the object in question was a sandwich, the law focuses on the act of assault rather than the severity of the weapon used.
The case has quickly become a talking point in debates over free expression, protest actions, and the limits of acceptable behavior toward law enforcement. Whatever the outcome, it underscores how even seemingly minor acts can have significant legal consequences when federal officers are involved.
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