Grand jury refuses to indict man for throwing sandwich at federal officer

In Washington, D.C., a federal grand jury did not return an indictment against Sean Dunn, a former Department of Justice paralegal, who was accused of throwing a salami sub at a Customs and Border Protection officer on August 10, 2025. This incident, which drew significant media attention, involved Dunn publicly confronting federal agents and expressing his disdain for their presence in the city. The confrontation turned physical when he hurled the sandwich at one of the officers, resulting in his arrest shortly afterward. Dunn's subsequent admission to law enforcement that he threw the sandwich played a critical role in the case, yet prosecutors struggled to secure a felony indictment against him. The failure to indict Dunn raises questions about the prosecution's ability to present a compelling case, particularly in light of grand jurors' typically favorable stance towards prosecutors. It is noted that federal grand juries usually approve indictments, reflecting the ease with which prosecutors generally secure them. Therefore, the refusal by the grand jury was not just a shock regarding Dunn's actions, but it also highlighted a broader potential skepticism towards aggressive enforcement actions under the current administration. The U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, and Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously emphasized the necessity to prosecute individuals who assault law enforcement officers, hinting at Dunn's case being treated as an example in the ongoing political climate. After the grand jury's decision, it remains unclear how federal prosecutors will continue with Dunn's case. They are considering possibilities to either seek another indictment or downgrade the charges to a less severe misdemeanor offense, which would not necessitate grand jury approval. Dunn's attorney has maintained a silence on the matter, emphasizing the uncertain cloud that now hangs over the case. This development mirrors another recent failure of prosecutors in a separate but related case involving Sidney Reid, who also faced failure in achieving an indictment against her for assaulting an FBI agent. Reid's case saw three grand jury rejections before charges were subsequently moved to a misdemeanor level. Such instances may reflect a changing public sentiment towards federal prosecutions, particularly as they relate to contentious interactions with law enforcement. The outcome of Dunn's case, therefore, signifies not only the complexities of legal proceedings in these matters but also points to social attitudes regarding federal authority and individual resistance against it.