A man was arrested three months ago for throwing a Subway sandwich at federal law enforcement officers. A viral video of the incident made Sean Charles Dunn a symbol of resistance during President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal agents to Washington, D.C., in 2020. Despite footage showing the act, a jury found him not guilty of assault on Thursday.

Dunn, who was later fired from his Department of Justice job, faced charges after throwing the sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent during an August night when protesters gathered near a club hosting a “Latin Night.” Prosecutors argued Dunn knowingly assaulted an officer, while his defense claimed the act was a protected protest under the First Amendment.

The case drew attention as prosecutors initially sought a felony indictment but secured only a misdemeanor charge after a grand jury rejected the higher-level offense. Judge Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., stated in a public statement that law enforcement should not face “assault, no matter how ‘minor.’”

Dunn, 37, expressed relief after the verdict, saying he was ready to “move on with his life.” His remarks, however, included what some described as sanctimonious rhetoric, including gratitude toward supporters and a dismissive tone toward law enforcement.

The case highlights tensions over protest boundaries, with critics questioning where line-drawing occurs between symbolic acts and criminal behavior. The acquittal underscores the legal complexities of actions that blend humor with potential threats to public officials.