Retired Cop Wins $835K After Jailing Over Trump Meme

Larry Bushart spent 37 days behind bars for sharing a meme on Facebook, missing the birth of his grandchild and losing his job. Now the retired Tennessee police officer is getting justice and a substantial payday that secures his retirement.

Bushart won an $835,000 settlement this week after suing Perry County and Sheriff Nick Weems for violating his First Amendment rights. The grandfather was arrested in the middle of the night for posting a Trump meme he didn't even create.

The meme accurately quoted Donald Trump saying "we have to get over it" after a school shooting at Perry High School in Iowa. Bushart shared it on a Facebook thread about a vigil for Charlie Kirk, a right-wing influencer who had been assassinated.

Sheriff Weems saw the post and decided to interpret it as a threat against Perry County High School in Tennessee, even though the meme clearly referenced an incident 500 miles away in Iowa. Weems later admitted he knew the meme referred to the Iowa shooting but arrested Bushart anyway.

The arrest was so confusing that even jail officers couldn't understand it. Video footage caught one officer laughing with Bushart about the absurd charges. "I've been in Facebook jail, but now I'm really in it," Bushart joked during booking.

Bushart couldn't afford his $2 million bond, so he sat in jail for more than a month. He lost his post-retirement job and missed precious family moments. But he refused to delete the post, standing firm on his right to free speech.

The Ripple Effect

Bushart's victory sends a powerful message to government officials nationwide about respecting constitutional rights. His case was part of a disturbing trend Reuters uncovered, where 600 people faced punishment for controversial online statements about Kirk's death during a government-backed campaign.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which represented Bushart, hopes this settlement reminds law enforcement that censorship comes with consequences. "Respect the First Amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow," said attorney Cary Davis.

Bushart can now enjoy retirement with his wife and spend time with the grandchild he missed meeting. His courage to fight back proved that Americans don't lose their rights just because authorities disagree with what they say online.

The Constitution worked exactly as designed, holding government accountable when it tried to silence a citizen for protected speech.