In brief
Tennessee officials have agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer jailed for 37 days over a Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination. Bushart was arrested in September after refusing to remove memes that joked about Kirk's killing, which referenced Donald Trump's 2024 comments about an Iowa school shooting. Perry County officials argued his post threatened local schools, but Bushart's lawsuit claims his First Amendment rights were violated. The case drew national attention after Bushart lost his post-retirement job and missed his granddaughter's birth and wedding anniversary. Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems stated Bushart 'intentionally sought to create hysteria,' but Bushart's attorney called the settlement a victory: 'Respect the First Amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow.' The settlement highlights tensions around online speech during political turmoil.
BREAKING: TENNESSEE OFFICIALS SETTLE $835,000 LAWSUIT OVER FACEBOOK POSTTENNESSEE OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO PAY $835,000 TO SETTLE A LAWSUIT FILED BY LARRY BUSHART, A 61-YEAR-OLD RETIRED POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS JAILED FOR 37 DAYS AFTER POSTING A FACEBOOK MEME ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION OF CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK.Bushart, a Perry County resident, was arrested in September following an investigation after refusing to remove memes joking about Kirk’s killing. The post included a Donald Trump quote—'We have to get over it'—from 2024 after a school shooting at Iowa’s Perry High School. Authorities claimed residents feared Bushart was threatening local Perry County High School, though Sheriff Nick Weems confirmed the meme referenced an Iowa school, not their local one.During his detention, Bushart lost his post-retirement job and missed his granddaughter’s birth and wedding anniversary. Perry County dropped felony charges against him in October after his bail was set at $2 million, sparking national attention. Bushart’s lawsuit alleges First Amendment violations, with attorney Cary Davis stating: 'When government officials fail that test, the Constitution exists to hold them accountable. Our hope is that Larry’s settlement sends a message to law enforcement across the country: Respect the First Amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow.'Bushart praised the settlement: 'I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated. The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy.' Perry County Mayor John Carroll declined to comment. The case underscores tensions over online speech during political unrest, with Weems admitting Bushart 'was fully aware of the fear his post would cause' and 'intentionally sought to create hysteria.'This rare instance—where online commentary led to criminal prosecution—highlights the ongoing debate about free speech boundaries. With national scrutiny mounting, Bushart’s settlement sends a clear message: law enforcement must respect constitutional protections even during periods of heightened social tension.}
