politics
Man jailed for posting Trump meme wins $835,000 settlement
Sheriff loses fight with man he jailed for 37 days for posting a Trump meme on Facebook.
TL;DR
- Larry Bushart was awarded an $835,000 settlement after being jailed for 37 days for posting a Trump meme on Facebook.
- Bushart sued the county and sheriff, alleging his First Amendment rights were violated and he was jailed to censor him.
- Sheriff Nick Weems issued an arrest warrant for Bushart, claiming the meme could be interpreted as a threat to a local high school.
- Weems later admitted he knew the meme referred to an event in a different state and that Bushart's post was protected speech.
- Bushart missed the birth of his grandchild due to his inability to pay a $2 million bond.
- FIRE stated the settlement vindicates Bushart's rights and sends a message to law enforcement about respecting the First Amendment.