A former employee of the Department of Justice is facing a federal assault charge after allegedly throwing a subway sandwich at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents during an incident on Sunday night in Washington, D.C.
Metro Transit police reported that Shawn Charles Dan confronted a CBP agent, calling him a “fascist” and alleging that he was patrolling the area as part of a crime reduction initiative from the Trump administration. Later, Dan returned and “forcefully tossed” a sandwich at the agent, hitting him in the chest, according to court documents. Following the incident, he fled the scene, but federal officials pursued him.
A video shared on Instagram captured by a bystander reportedly shows witnesses laughing as Dan fell while trying to escape from police.
After his arrest, Dan allegedly admitted to an officer, “I did that. I threw a sandwich.” He is now charged with a felony assault against a law enforcement officer.
X Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed on Thursday that Dan had been employed by the Department of Justice but has since been terminated. She expressed her concerns about his actions in a post, emphasizing that he represents issues within the organization that have been criticized over the past months. “He’s not working in this administration while underestimating the government and law enforcement,” Bondi stated.
DC US attorney Johnny Pillo addressed the incident on social media, stressing the seriousness of assaulting an officer. He stated that Dan does not find it amusing now that he faces felony charges for his actions.
The incident comes amid an increased law enforcement presence in D.C., prompted by President Trump’s recent directive, as he seeks to address rising crime rates in the capital.
National Guard members, along with the FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies, have been deployed to support local police efforts in controlling crime.
Subway has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the situation.
