It started with a Subway footlong.
Honestly, nobody expected a turkey sub to become the most controversial piece of evidence in a federal court in 2025. But that’s exactly what happened to Sean Charles Dunn, a 37-year-old former Department of Justice employee and Air Force veteran. One minute he's shouting at federal agents on a D.C. street corner; the next, he’s hurling his dinner at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
The Sean Charles Dunn GoFundMe didn't just pop up out of nowhere. It became a lifeline for a man who found himself at the center of a high-stakes legal battle after being fired by Attorney General Pam Bondi and charged with a felony.
People called him the "Sandwich Guy." Some saw him as a folk hero, a symbol of D.C. resistance against a federal law enforcement surge. Others saw a government worker who had completely lost the plot.
What Really Happened with the Sandwich?
The facts are pretty wild. On August 10, 2025, Dunn was near 14th and U Street NW. The city was on edge. The Trump administration had deployed federal agents to patrol D.C. streets, a move that didn't sit well with many locals.
Dunn approached a group of CBP officers. He didn't hold back. He called them "fascists" and "racists," screaming that he didn't want them in his city. Then came the "assault." He threw a wrapped Subway sandwich at Officer Greg Lairmore, hitting him in the chest.
He ran. He was caught. And then things got weird.
Instead of a simple citation, twenty armed agents in riot gear raided Dunn’s home days later to arrest him. The White House even posted a video of the raid on X. It felt like the government was trying to make an example out of him. Attorney General Pam Bondi took to social media to announce his immediate firing, labeling him part of the "Deep State."
The Sean Charles Dunn GoFundMe and the Legal Fight
When you lose your job and face a felony charge that carries up to eight years in prison, you need help. Fast.
The fundraiser, titled "Help Support the Sandwich Guy," was organized by friends to cover his living expenses and legal hurdles. Even though he eventually secured pro bono representation from top-tier lawyers like Sabrina Shroff and Julia Gatto, the financial toll of being unemployed and under federal indictment is staggering.
Why did people donate?
- The "Overkill" Factor: Many D.C. residents felt a tactical raid for a thrown sandwich was absurd.
- Veteran Status: Dunn served five years in the Air Force and worked for the Forest Service.
- Political Symbolism: He became the face of the "Resist" movement in the District.
The trial itself was a spectacle. Officer Lairmore testified that he could feel the impact through his ballistic vest and that the sandwich "exploded," leaving him smelling like onions and mustard. The courtroom allegedly broke into laughter. One juror later told reporters the testimony felt like a "poor baby" moment for the officer.
The Verdict That Shocked the DOJ
On November 6, 2025, a D.C. jury handed down a "not guilty" verdict.
They weren't convinced that a wrapped turkey sub constituted a "forcible assault." His lawyers argued it was an "exclamation mark" at the end of a verbal protest protected by the First Amendment. It was a massive blow to the administration's crackdown.
Despite the win, Dunn’s life has changed forever. He’s no longer a DOJ international affairs specialist. He’s the "Sandwich Guy" now.
Actionable Insights for Digital Support
If you’re following cases like this or looking at the Sean Charles Dunn GoFundMe, here is what you need to know about the current landscape of crowdfunding for legal defense:
- Verify the Organizer: Always check if the person running the GoFundMe is actually connected to the beneficiary. In Dunn's case, the fundraiser was transparently managed by close associates.
- Understand the Terms: GoFundMe has strict rules about "bills for the defense of a violent crime." However, since Dunn was acquitted and the act involved a sandwich rather than a weapon, his fundraiser remained active.
- Pro Bono vs. Expenses: Even if a lawyer works for free, "legal support" funds often go toward expert witnesses, filing fees, and basic survival for someone who can't work while their case is pending.
Sean Dunn told reporters after the trial that he just wanted to move on with his life. Whether he can ever return to government service is doubtful, but for a huge chunk of Washington, he’ll always be the guy who used a hoagie to make a point.