DOJ Fires Employee Charged with Assault After Throwing Sandwich at CBP Agents

Sean Charles Dunn, a 37-year-old employee of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), was fired and charged with felony assault following an altercation with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred late on August 14, 2025, when Dunn approached a group of federal law enforcement officers on 14th Street NW. According to a court filing, he swore at an agent, calling him a “fascist,” and then threw a “sub-style” sandwich at the agent’s chest [1]. Video footage of the incident, which was widely shared online, shows Dunn berating the agents before the act [2].

Dunn was arrested at the scene and taken into custody after attempting to flee. No weapons were involved, but the DOJ described the act as a direct attack on federal law enforcement personnel [1]. The agent was struck by the sandwich, which was reportedly a fast-food item. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the firing via a social media post, calling the incident an example of the “Deep State” and stating that no one would be allowed to work in the administration while showing disrespect toward law enforcement [2].

Sean Charles Dunn was employed as an international affairs specialist in the DOJ’s criminal division. A department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed his employment status prior to the incident [1]. His attorney, Sabrina Shroff, declined to comment on the allegations following an initial court appearance [1]. The timing of the incident coincided with heightened security measures in the capital, including the activation of 800 National Guard members by then-President Donald Trump, who claimed a crime emergency in Washington, despite city officials citing a 30-year low in violent crime [1].

The firing of Dunn has sparked discussions about behavior and accountability within the DOJ, particularly as it relates to interactions between federal personnel and the public. While some view the act as an unprovoked assault, others see it as a symptom of broader tensions between government agencies and citizens. Bondi’s response has been interpreted by some as a continuation of a broader effort to rebrand and refocus the department under her leadership [2].

The DOJ has previously faced scrutiny over personnel decisions, including the continued employment of Jared Lane Wise, a former FBI agent who was charged with participating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Wise remains employed in the department despite the charges [1].

Sources:

[1] Fortune - https://fortune.com/2025/08/15/pam-bondi-fires-37-year-old-doj-employee-who-threw-a-sub-sandwich-at-a-border-patrol-worker/

[2] The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/14/dc-sandwich-thrower-justice-department

[4] Yahoo News - https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/justice-department-fires-man-accused-162718745.html

[5] HuffPost - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dc-man-who-threw-sub-at-cbp-officer-has-been-fired-from-doj_n_689e2efce4b048e97f077c9e