Settlement for Tennessee Man Jailed Over Meme

A man in Tennessee, Larry Bushart, who spent 37 days in jail due to a Facebook meme posted after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, will receive an $835,000 settlement from local authorities.

Bushart, 61, a former police officer, was held on a $2 million bail during September and October until the felony charges were eventually dropped.

“I am pleased that my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart expressed, as reported by a local newspaper. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which represented him, announced the proposed settlement.

“The freedom of citizens to participate in civil discourse is critical to a healthy democracy. I look forward to moving forward and spending time with my family,” he added.

Since the conservative activist’s death in September, many individuals have lost their jobs over social media posts that mocked or celebrated the event. However, Bushart’s case gained attention largely due to the criminal charges he faced.

In December, he filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Perry County, Tennessee, its sheriff, and the investigators who issued the arrest warrant. While in jail, Bushart missed significant personal events, like his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter, as mentioned in the lawsuit.

The meme that led to his arrest included the caption “This seems relevant today…” alongside a quote from President Donald Trump: “We must get through it.” This quote was originally made after a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, during the 2024 campaign.

Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems acknowledged that many of Bushart’s posts represented legitimate free speech, but he also noted concerns from residents regarding the school shooting context of the meme.

According to FIRE, the arrest warrant was issued based on fears that the meme could be seen as a threat against Perry County High School. It’s important to note that Bushart did not originate or alter the meme.

“No one should be hauled off to jail in the middle of the night over a harmless meme just because authorities disagree with the message,” said Adam Steinbaugh, a senior attorney at FIRE. “While we are pleased that Larry has been compensated for this wrongful act, local law enforcement should never have put him through this ordeal in the first place.”