"Tennessee Man Jailed 37 Days for Trump Meme Wins $835,000 Settlement"
Larry Bushart, a retired law enforcement officer from Tennessee, has received an $835,000 settlement after being jailed for 37 days over a meme he posted. His arrest was deemed a violation of his First Amendment rights, as the meme was misinterpreted as a threat. The case highlights the importance of protecting free speech in a democratic society.
- ▪Larry Bushart was jailed for 37 days for posting a meme related to a school shooting.
- ▪He received an $835,000 settlement after filing a federal civil rights lawsuit.
- ▪The sheriff admitted he knew the meme referred to an incident over 500 miles away.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Free Speech "Tennessee Man Jailed 37 Days for Trump Meme Wins $835,000 Settlement" Eugene Volokh | 5.22.2026 2:28 PM From the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Wednesday: After spending 37 days in jail for nothing more than posting a meme, retired Tennessee law enforcement officer Larry Bushart has won a substantial settlement from the county and sheriff behind his arrest. Represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and Phillips & Phillips, PLLC, Larry Bushart filed a federal civil rights lawsuit last December against Sheriff Nick Weems, Investigator Jason Morrow, and Perry County, Tennessee, for violating his constitutional rights in retaliation for his protected speech.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Reason Magazine.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Reason Magazine
