What Happened to Larry Bushart?
Larry Bushart, a retired Tennessee police officer, was jailed for 37 days in September 2025 over a Facebook meme he posted following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The meme, which included a quote from Donald Trump, was misinterpreted by local authorities as a threat to a local school. After his release and the dropping of charges, Bushart filed a federal lawsuit, ultimately winning an $835,000 settlement in May 2026 for violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights.
Quick Answer
Larry Bushart, a retired Tennessee police officer, was arrested and jailed for 37 days in September 2025 for sharing a Facebook meme that included a quote from Donald Trump, which authorities in Perry County, Tennessee, misinterpreted as a threat. The charges were dropped in October 2025, and he subsequently filed a federal lawsuit. As of May 20, 2026, Bushart won an $835,000 settlement from Perry County, its sheriff, and an investigator for violating his First and Fourth Amendment rights.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline8 events
Trump's 'We have to get over it' Quote
President Donald Trump makes the statement 'We have to get over it' following a school shooting at Perry High School in Iowa, a quote that would later be used in the meme.
Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk is assassinated while speaking at a Utah college, an event that triggers widespread mourning among conservatives and prompts vigils.
Larry Bushart's Arrest
Larry Bushart is arrested by Perry County Sheriff's deputies after posting a Facebook meme in a thread about a vigil for Charlie Kirk. The meme, featuring a Trump quote about a school shooting, is misinterpreted as a threat to a local school.
Held on $2 Million Bond
Bushart is held on a $2 million bond, an amount he cannot afford, leading to his prolonged detention.
Charges Dropped and Release
After 37 days in jail, prosecutors drop the felony charge against Larry Bushart, and he is released. The case had gained national attention.
Bushart Files Federal Lawsuit
Larry Bushart files a federal civil rights lawsuit against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems, and Investigator Jason Morrow, alleging violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights.
Lawsuit Details Emerge
Further details of Bushart's lawsuit are reported, highlighting the claim that authorities knew the meme was political commentary but orchestrated the arrest anyway.
$835,000 Settlement Reached
Larry Bushart wins an $835,000 settlement from Perry County, its sheriff, and an investigator, resolving his federal lawsuit. Bushart states his First Amendment rights have been vindicated.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer from Perry County, Tennessee, found himself at the center of a national free speech debate after his arrest in September 2025. The incident stemmed from a Facebook post he shared following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Bushart's post featured a meme with an image of then-President Donald Trump and the quote, 'We have to get over it,' which Trump had said in 2024 after a school shooting at Perry High School in Iowa. Bushart captioned the meme, 'This seems relevant today...', intending it as commentary in the context of a vigil for Kirk.
Local authorities, including Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems and Investigator Jason Morrow, interpreted the meme as a threat against Perry County High School in Tennessee, despite later admitting they knew the meme referenced the Iowa shooting. Bushart was arrested on charges of threatening mass violence and held on an unusually high $2 million bond, which he could not afford. He spent 37 days in jail, during which he lost his post-retirement job and missed significant family events, including his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter.
The case garnered national attention, with civil liberties advocates, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), highlighting it as a severe overreach and a violation of First Amendment rights. In October 2025, prosecutors dropped the felony charge against Bushart, leading to his release.
Following his release, Bushart, represented by FIRE and Phillips & Phillips, PLLC, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in December 2025 against Perry County, Sheriff Weems, and Investigator Morrow. The lawsuit alleged violations of his First Amendment right to free speech and his Fourth Amendment right against unlawful seizure. On May 20, 2026, the parties announced a global settlement, with Tennessee officials agreeing to pay Bushart $835,000. Bushart expressed satisfaction that his First Amendment rights had been vindicated, emphasizing the importance of free civil discourse in a democracy. This settlement underscores the legal protections for online speech, even when it is critical or controversial, and serves as a significant victory for free speech advocates.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Larry Bushart made different choices?