Larry Bushart, a retired police officer from Tennessee, has initiated a lawsuit following his arrest and subsequent incarceration for over 30 days due to a Facebook post featuring a meme about the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The charges against him were eventually dropped, but his detention has highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding political expression in the United States.

Bushart's legal troubles began shortly after Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. The meme he shared referenced a vigil for Kirk and included a quote from former President Donald Trump regarding a school shooting. Local authorities interpreted the post as a potential threat to a nearby school, leading to Bushart's arrest by four officers who cited concerns over mass violence.

Held on a $2 million bond, Bushart remained in jail for 37 days until the district attorney decided to drop the charges. His lawsuit, filed in federal court, argues that his arrest constituted an unlawful prosecution and a violation of his free speech rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is representing him in this case.

The lawsuit names Perry County, Tennessee, Sheriff Nick Weems, and investigator Jason Morrow as defendants, alleging that they understood the meme as political commentary yet proceeded with the arrest. Bushart's legal team contends that there is no evidence to suggest that anyone interpreted the meme as a threat.

Bushart claims that the incident has adversely affected his employment and has instilled fear regarding his participation in political discourse online. He expressed his commitment to upholding the law while asserting his rights against what he describes as censorship. The lawsuit seeks both monetary and punitive damages, and Bushart has requested a jury trial.