Man Who Threw A Subway Sandwich At A Federal Agent Is Fired From His Department Of Justice Job

A Department of Justice trial attorney has lost his job after throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal agent in Washington, D.C. The altercation happened on 7 August and swiftly led to his dismissal.

The lawyer, identified as Sean Charles Dunn, had served in the DOJ's civil rights division. Officials confirmed he is no longer employed, ending his career just days after the confrontation.

What Happened

Dunn was outside a Subway restaurant near the Justice Department's headquarters when the incident occurred. According to reports, a federal officer approached him, at which point Dunn became agitated and threw his sandwich at the officer. Witnesses say the exchange escalated quickly, although no one was injured.

The security officer, on official duty at the time, filed a report of the encounter. Because the officer was a federal agent, the incident carried serious implications, prompting an internal response.

The altercation took place on 7 August 2025. By the following week, Dunn's dismissal was confirmed. The swiftness of the action highlights how seriously the Justice Department treated the matter once it became public knowledge.

The confrontation unfolded outside a Subway branch in downtown Washington, D.C., close to the DOJ's main offices. The highly visible location, within walking distance of federal buildings, made the situation even more embarrassing for the department.

Who Was Involved

Dunn, a trial attorney in the civil rights division, is at the center of the case. His role involved sensitive litigation and upholding federal protections against discrimination. The other party, a federal security officer, has not been named publicly.

Dunn has not released a statement, and neither his representatives nor the DOJ have offered additional details beyond confirming his dismissal.

For the DOJ, the issue was not the sandwich itself but the conduct. Throwing food at a federal officer was deemed misconduct, incompatible with the responsibilities of a civil rights trial lawyer. Officials concluded the behavior damaged public trust in the department, especially given his role in enforcing justice.

Legal analysts note that government lawyers are held to strict professional standards. Even relatively minor acts can have major consequences when they involve federal employees or undermine the credibility of the department.

How Has It Been Received

The unusual nature of the incident has captured attention far beyond Washington. Social media users have mocked the case as surreal, with some joking about 'death by sandwich', while others condemned the behavior as a lapse unworthy of a public servant.

Commentators point out that the DOJ acted unusually quickly in terminating Dunn, a move that reflects the department's effort to show zero tolerance for misconduct. The civil rights division, where Dunn worked, handles some of the country's most high-profile and politically sensitive cases. Any perception of unprofessionalism, analysts say, risks undermining confidence in its work.

Dunn's dismissal illustrates how one outburst can derail a federal career. What began as a heated exchange outside a sandwich shop has ended with the loss of a post in one of the Justice Department's most important divisions, a sharp reminder of the weight carried by public trust in those tasked with upholding the law.