In a surprising turn of events in Washington, D.C., an incident involving a federal law enforcement officer and a Justice Department employee has sparked a significant uproar and highlighted tensions within the federal government. Sean Dunn, a former employee at the Justice Department, has been relieved of his duties following an altercation where he threw a sandwich at a Customs and Border Patrol officer.
The incident, which took place on a bustling street corner in Northwest Washington, D.C., occurred on a Sunday. According to official charging documents, Dunn was seen in a recorded video shouting at the agent and other officers near him before hurling a “submarine-style sandwich” directly at the officer’s chest. The motivations behind Dunn’s actions were purportedly driven by his displeasure with the presence of federal law enforcement in the city.
Dunn’s outburst didn’t stop with the throwing of the sandwich. He is reported to have shouted expletives and derogatory remarks, including “F you! You fing fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city,” showcasing a deep-seated frustration with the federal authorities. After crossing the street briefly, Dunn returned to commit his act of sandwich-throwing. Post-incident, when apprehended by the police, Dunn straightforwardly confessed to the act, explicitly stating, “I did it. I threw a sandwich.”
Following this event, Attorney General Pam Bondi took to social media to address the situation, revealing that Dunn was an employee of the Department of Justice, specifically within the Office of International Affairs as a paralegal. Expressing her disapproval and the administration’s stance on such behavior, Bondi stated that Dunn had been terminated from his position and faced felony charges for assaulting federal law enforcement. Her statements underscored a zero-tolerance policy towards employees who disrespect government and law enforcement officials.
“This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ,” Bondi wrote on her X post, emphasizing the ongoing challenges within the department and the administration’s priorities. Dunn’s actions were inadvertently turned into a political statement, shedding light on the internal disagreements and tensions within the department.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., also publicly addressed the incident, underscoring her office’s unwavering support for law enforcement. Her remarks, which included a pointed and humorous jab at Dunn (“So there, stick your Subway sandwich somewhere else.”), were part of a video announcement regarding the arrest.
The context of this incident is particularly poignant given that federal law enforcement and National Guard members had only recently been deployed to the District of Columbia. This move was orchestrated in a bid to tackle crime in the nation’s capital, despite recent statistics suggesting a decline in criminal activity. The strategy has been part of broader federal attempts to assert control and ensure safety, which have not been universally welcomed by local populations, evidently contributing to Dunn’s frustration and resulting explosive conduct.
In legal terms, Dunn faces one count of assaulting federal law enforcement, and no plea had been entered nor had a hearing been scheduled for his case at the time of the latest reports. CBC News has reached out to his attorney for comments, which suggests further developments are likely to follow as the case progresses through the judicial system.
This incident not only reinforced the ongoing discourse about the role and presence of federal law enforcement in urban settings but also brought to light the internal conflicts within government agencies. Attorney General Bondi’s response pointedly aiming at what she termed the “Deep State” reflects an administration actively working to reshape and assert its control over federal operations and its workforce.
In a corrected note, it has been clarified that contrary to earlier reports, Dunn was not a trial attorney but served as a paralegal. Misreporting of his professional role has been rectified in further coverage of the incident.
This bizarre and yet serious incident involving a sandwich, a Justice Department employee, and a federal officer opens up various dialogues about respect for law enforcement, the handling of dissent within government ranks, and the broader implications of federal oversight in D.C. The outcomes of this case may set precedents for how similar offenses are judged and handled in the future, potentially influencing the operational environment for federal agencies in Washington, D.C., and beyond.
