A retired Tennessee law enforcement officer received an $835,000 settlement after he spent 37 days in jail for sharing a Facebook meme that referenced President Donald Trump.
Larry Bushart was arrested in September 2025 in Perry County, Tennessee. The arrest followed a post he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Bushart filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county, the sheriff, and an investigator. The parties announced the settlement on May 20, 2026.
The Arrest and Charges
Bushart shared a meme in a thread about a vigil for Kirk. The meme included the text “This seems relevant today” along with a quote from Trump: “We have to get over it.” The quote came from Trump’s remarks after a 2024 school shooting in Iowa.
Local officials said some residents feared the post threatened a school in Perry County. Sheriff Nick Weems later stated that most of Bushart’s other posts were protected speech, but the department acted on community concerns. Bushart refused to remove the post and was charged. He remained in jail for 37 days before release.
During that time, Bushart lost his job, missed his wedding anniversary, and was not present for the birth of his granddaughter, according to court records.
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The Lawsuit and Settlement
Bushart sued Perry County and officials, claiming violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and local attorney Katherine Phillips represented him.
The settlement requires Perry County to pay Bushart $835,000. In exchange, he agreed to dismiss the lawsuit. No admission of wrongdoing was made by the county or sheriff.
Adam Steinbaugh, a senior attorney at FIRE, said: “No one should be hauled off to jail in the dark of night over a harmless meme just because the authorities disagree with its message.”
Why This Matters
The case raises questions about free speech protections for online posts and the power of local law enforcement to arrest individuals over social media content. It shows how quickly public emotions after a high-profile killing can lead to legal action against speech that some find offensive.
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The settlement compensates Bushart for his time in jail and related losses. It also sends a signal to government officials about the cost of detaining people for protected expression.
Free speech groups say the outcome protects the right to share political memes and commentary, even when the message is unpopular. Critics of the original arrest argue it shows overreach by authorities during a tense period.
The case comes at a time when courts continue to examine the balance between public safety concerns and constitutional rights on social media. Perry County, a small jurisdiction with fewer than 10,000 residents, will bear the financial cost through taxpayer funds.
Democrats and Republicans have both criticized government actions against political expression in recent years. This settlement provides one example of the consequences when officials cross constitutional lines.
