Jeanine Pirro Critiques Jurors for Not Indicting Sandwich Attacker

Washington, DC’s top prosecutor, Jeanine Pirro, expressed frustration over a grand jury’s decision not to indict a former Justice Department employee accused of assaulting a federal officer by throwing a sandwich. The incident occurred on August 10, 2023, and has drawn significant public attention, particularly after video footage of the event went viral.

Pirro’s Criticism of Jurors

During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Pirro criticized the grand jurors, suggesting that those from affluent neighborhoods, such as Georgetown, fail to grasp the severity of crime in the District. “They don’t see the reality of crime that is occurring,” she remarked to host Shannon Bream. This commentary followed the grand jury’s refusal to issue felony assault charges against Sean Charles Dunn, who previously worked as an international affairs specialist in the DOJ’s criminal division.

Prosecutors alleged that Dunn “forcefully threw a sub-style sandwich” at a Customs and Border Patrol officer, striking him in the chest. The incident took place just days after President Donald Trump deployed additional federal law enforcement to address rising crime concerns in the area. Despite the gravity of the situation, the grand jury ultimately did not find sufficient grounds for felony charges, leaving Pirro visibly frustrated.

“My office has been instructed to move for the highest crime possible consistent with the law, the statute and the evidence,” Pirro stated. She added, “But the grand jurors don’t take it so seriously. They’re like, you know, whatever.” Her comments reflect her belief that many residents of DC have become desensitized to crime, with its normalization leading to a lack of concern for legal violations.

Future Legal Proceedings for Dunn

Despite the grand jury’s decision, Dunn will still face misdemeanor charges related to the sandwich incident. Pirro emphasized that her office remains committed to pursuing accountability in such cases, regardless of the grand jury’s stance. The fallout from this case has intensified discussions about crime in Washington, DC, and the effectiveness of the legal system in addressing such issues.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat crime in the capital, at least 850 federal agents and approximately 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to the streets, following the heightened tensions surrounding public safety. The incident and subsequent legal challenges highlight significant concerns over the perception of crime and its implications for justice in the District.