DOJ worker fired after sandwich thrown at federal agent

A DOJ employee was fired after throwing a sandwich at a federal agent in Washington as the administration steps up security actions.

Attorney General Fires DOJ Worker Who Threw Sandwich at Federal Agent

Sean Charles Dunn, 37, of Washington, was charged with a felony assault after hurling a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during a confrontation in downtown Washington late Sunday. Dunn was an international affairs specialist in the Justice Department's criminal division and was fired by the department following a social media post from Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Footage of the encounter circulated online as Dunn faced arrest after trying to flee. Bondi described the episode as an example of the Deep State and said Dunn will not work in this administration if he disrespects government and law enforcement.

The incident sits at the intersection of politics and law enforcement in the capital, where security actions are a constant backdrop. It shows how a single act can become a flashpoint for broader debates about accountability and support for federal agents. The administration frames the response as discipline for disrespect toward government, while critics question whether rhetoric here risks inflaming tensions rather than deter crime. The presence of federal officers in DC and a former FBI agent tied to Jan 6 matters adds weight to the political stakes of this case.

The episode also underscores a larger question for the public: how to balance respect for institutions with broad public scrutiny of security measures. As Washington grapples with rapid deployments of federal resources, messages from officials carry outsized influence on trust and civic dialogue.

Highlights

The week will test how far officials go to defend institutions without inflaming public tensions.