August 22, Friday: Washington, D.C., has discovered an unlikely hero of resistance in Sean Charles Dunn, a 37-year-old former Justice Department worker, now more infamously recognized as the 'Sandwich Guy'. What started as a spontaneous act of defiance - tossing a Subway sandwich at federal authorities, snowballed into a political firestorm and a cultural sensation.
It was on August 10 when Dunn was confronted by a cluster of law enforcement officials, including Metro Transit Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, cruising through downtown D.C. He reportedly yelled, "F*** you, fascists" and "I don't want you in my city," then tossed a wrapped footlong sub at an officer.
Days later Dunn was dramatically re-arrested in an operation that involved almost 20 officers. While being booked, he reportedly confessed, "I did it. I threw a sandwich." Attorney General Pam Bondi promptly fired him, and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro denounced the assault as "no laughing matter."
But in the real world outside the courtroom, Dunn's act has ignited a different judgment. The Guardian noted that from coast to coast across Washington state, posters modeled after Banksy's iconic "Flower Thrower" started to pop up, except this time, the protester is throwing a sub instead of flowers. Protesters came up with catchphrases such as "One small sub for man, one giant gesture for democracy," taking one act of protest and turning it into a rallying point against federal overreach in the capital.
The episode occurs at a time of increased tensions following the deployment of federal agents and National Guard soldiers in D.C. by the Trump administration, despite The Washington Post reporting that the city has recorded historically low rates of violent crime.
On August 21, Trump visited police enforcement and National Guard soldiers in D.C. He commended the increased federal presence and signaled his intent to replicate similar crackdowns elsewhere in Democrat-led cities. Increasing tensions regarding local sovereignty and the militarization of public space are exemplified by the street-level resistance, including the emergence of the 'Sandwich Guy' as a resistance icon.
