In a surprising turn of events, a Tennessee man who spent more than a month behind bars over a Facebook meme quoting former President Donald Trump has been freed after all charges against him were dismissed. The case of 61-year-old Larry Bushart Jr, a former police officer from Lexington, Tennessee, has raised serious questions about the limits of free speech, social media interpretation, and law enforcement overreach in the age of online outrage.
Authorities have since admitted that the meme, originally interpreted as a threat toward Perry County High School, had no connection to the school or any act of violence. What began as a viral misunderstanding quickly spiraled into a criminal prosecution that has now ended as abruptly as it began.
A Meme Misunderstood: How the Arrest Happened
The controversy began on September 21, when Larry Bushart shared a meme on Facebook featuring an image of former President Donald Trump with the quote, “We have to get over it,” a phrase Trump had used earlier in 2024 following a deadly school shooting in Perry, Iowa. Beneath the image, Bushart added the caption, “This seems relevant today.” While the post might have appeared to be a commentary on political rhetoric or media reactions to violence, its timing proved disastrous.
In Perry County, Tennessee, a local Facebook group called “What’s Happening in Perry County” had been abuzz with conversation about a community vigil planned for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who had recently passed away. Emotions were high, and members of the group were already on edge following national headlines about school violence.
When Larry Bushart’s meme appeared in the group, several residents misinterpreted it as a possible threat aimed at Perry County High School. The confusion was amplified by the coincidence of the name “Perry” in both the Iowa school shooting and their own Tennessee county.
Concerned parents and teachers reported the post to authorities, and the situation quickly escalated. Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told reporters that the post caused widespread fear within the community. “We believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community,” Weems said at the time. Larry Bushart was subsequently arrested and charged with making threats of mass violence on school property, a serious felony offense that carries significant prison time.
BREAKING: Charges just DROPPED against Larry Bushart, who shared a Trump meme and was arrested for it.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 29, 2025
I remember last month when Conservatives all rejoiced over this blatant violation of FREE Speech. Well guess what? You lost. pic.twitter.com/kEizCTv3Ap
Law enforcement officials defended their decision by pointing to the need to treat all potential school-related threats seriously. “Creating mass hysteria in our community will not be tolerated,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement shortly after Larry Bushart’s arrest. However, as investigators dug deeper, it became evident that the meme had no direct reference to any local school, nor did it contain an explicit threat of violence.
The Politics Behind the Post: Free Speech and Online Division
Larry Bushart was not an unknown figure in his local online circles. A retired police officer from the nearby Huntingdon Police Department, he was known for his outspoken political views, particularly his criticisms of former President Trump and the broader conservative movement. He frequently engaged in heated debates with Trump supporters, election deniers, and vaccine skeptics, often using humor and sarcasm to make his points.
Following the death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10, Larry Bushart had posted a series of memes mocking the public mourning and questioning what he saw as the glorification of divisive figures. His posts sparked controversy in the community, where many residents held Kirk in high regard. On the morning of the local vigil in Linden, Bushart’s posts grew increasingly provocative, with several aimed at Trump and former aide Kash Patel.
Read : Employee Fired Over ‘Racist’s Fav Drink’ Message on Ohio Woman’s Starbucks Cup Honoring Charlie Kirk
When the Trump meme referencing the Iowa shooting appeared, its perceived insensitivity hit a nerve among those already upset with Bushart’s previous posts. Some accused him of using tragedy to taunt conservatives; others interpreted it as a veiled warning of violence. Within hours, rumors spread through social media and text messages that a threat had been made toward Perry County schools.
Sheriff Weems, who had personally shared information about the Charlie Kirk vigil online, took notice of the uproar. Concerned about potential unrest, he reached out to investigators to assess the situation. Officers visited Larry Bushart’s home to question him about the meme, but when he continued posting online afterward, authorities decided to take action. Late that night, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Body camera footage from the arrest reportedly shows Larry Bushart cooperating fully with police, even joking that he had gone from “Facebook jail” to a real one. Nevertheless, he was booked into the Perry County Jail around 2 a.m. on September 22, with bail set at an astonishing $2 million. His attorney described the amount as “grossly excessive” and filed a motion to have it reduced, arguing that Bushart posed no flight risk or danger to the public. Prosecutors, however, asked for more time to respond, keeping Bushart behind bars for more than a month.
The arrest sparked heated debates online, with free speech advocates arguing that Larry Bushart had been wrongfully detained for what amounted to political expression. Critics of the sheriff’s office accused local authorities of bowing to public pressure and punishing speech simply because it was unpopular or misunderstood. Others defended the arrest, saying the sheriff had acted prudently in the face of potential danger.
Charges Dropped: Admission of Error and Public Reaction
On Wednesday afternoon, more than five weeks after Larry Bushart’s arrest, Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems confirmed that the charges had been dropped. The case was “nolled,” meaning dismissed, just before 2 p.m. The decision came less than 24 hours after NewsChannel 5 aired an interview with Weems in which he acknowledged that investigators had determined early on that the meme was not directed at Perry County High School.
“We knew it wasn’t connected to the school, but the fear in the community was real,” he said during the interview. The timing of the dismissal led to speculation that the public admission played a role in the prosecutor’s decision to abandon the case. Legal experts suggested that continuing to pursue charges could have exposed the county to civil liability for wrongful arrest or free speech violations.
Read : 42-Year-Old Joshua Runkles Arrested for Impersonating Officer Ahead of Charlie Kirk Memorial
Larry Bushart’s attorney issued a statement calling the outcome a “vindication of constitutional rights” and a reminder of the dangers of overreacting to online expression. “Mr. Bushart was jailed for more than a month because a Facebook meme was taken out of context,” the statement read. “No one should lose their freedom over a misunderstanding.”
Civil rights groups have pointed to the incident as a troubling example of how social media misinterpretations can lead to life-altering consequences. The case highlights the growing tension between maintaining public safety and protecting the First Amendment in an era where digital communication can easily be misconstrued.
Bushart himself has not spoken publicly since his release, but people close to him say the experience has been deeply traumatic. Friends have described him as a lifelong public servant who never intended harm. “Larry’s just opinionated,” one acquaintance told reporters. “He likes to push buttons, but he’s not violent or dangerous.”
The sheriff’s office, for its part, has stood by its initial decision to arrest Larry Bushart, emphasizing that it was made out of caution rather than malice. “We acted to protect our schools and our children,” Weems said in a follow-up statement. “While we now know there was no threat, at the time, we couldn’t afford to assume otherwise.” Legal analysts note that cases like this are becoming increasingly common as communities struggle to balance vigilance with restraint in responding to perceived online threats. The ambiguity of digital language—especially sarcasm, satire, or political commentary—can easily blur the line between expression and intimidation.
As Larry Bushart awaits his next court appearance on December 4, which may now only address administrative matters, his case continues to attract national attention. Free speech organizations have begun reviewing the incident for potential legal challenges, arguing that the high bail, lengthy detention, and lack of evidence all point to an abuse of discretion.
For residents of Perry County, the episode has served as a sobering reminder of how quickly digital disputes can spill into real life. What started as a meme shared in a small-town Facebook group grew into a headline-making legal saga about politics, fear, and free expression in modern America. Even as the dust settles, the incident has left lasting divisions within the community. Some residents believe Bushart’s arrest was justified to maintain safety, while others see it as a stark example of how misunderstanding and political polarization can erode the very freedoms the nation seeks to protect.