Border Patrol Agent Testifies On D.C. ‘Sandwich Guy’: ‘I Could Smell The Onions’

The U.S. Border Patrol agent who was struck with a Subway sandwich in Washington, D.C., in August testified on the incident in federal court on Tuesday.

Gregory A. Lairmore, a 23-year veteran of the agency, said he was not injured by the sandwich toss, but said he could feel its impact through the ballistic vest he was wearing. It came apart and “kind of exploded” when it struck his chest, according to Lairmore.

“I could smell the onions and mustard,” he said.

Lairmore was called to the stand to testify in the trial of D.C. “Sandwich Guy” Sean Dunn, who’s become something of a local anti-Trump resistance hero. Viral videos showed Dunn hurling the sandwich at Lairmore after calling him and other federal agents “fascists” shortly before the president declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C.

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C., tried to charge Dunn with felony assault of a federal agent, but a grand jury declined to return an indictment. Prosecutors have proceeded with a misdemeanor charge against Dunn. His jury trial started on Tuesday.

In an opening statement, the government argued that Dunn was free to berate and curse at federal agents like Lairmore, but that he crossed a line when he threw the sandwich.

“No matter who you are, you can’t just go around throwing stuff at people because you’re mad,” said the prosecutor.

Dunn’s team did not dispute that their client tossed the sandwich, but said the toss could not have caused serious bodily injury and therefore fell far short of a felony assault.

“His conduct is not a federal criminal case, it is not close,” his attorney argued.

A verdict in the case is expected by Wednesday.