A retired Tennessee police officer has secured an $835,000 settlement after spending more than a month in jail over a Facebook post connected to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Larry Bushart, 61, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Perry County officials after he was arrested and charged with threatening mass violence at a school following a social media post authorities claimed was directed at a local high school.
The settlement, reached before a scheduled federal trial in Memphis, resolves Bushart’s claims against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems, and a county investigator. The agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by the defendants.
Arrest Stemmed From Facebook Meme Post
According to court filings, Bushart shared an existing meme on Facebook after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The image included President Donald Trump alongside a 2024 quote in which President Trump said, “We have to get over it,” referring at the time to a school shooting in Perry, Iowa.
Bushart added the caption: “This seems relevant today…”.
Authorities in Perry County interpreted the post as a threat aimed at Perry County High School and arrested Bushart at his home. He was charged with felony threatening mass violence at a school.
Bushart was jailed for 37 days after being unable to pay a $2 million bond set in the case.
Charges Later Dropped
The local district attorney later declined to prosecute the case. In October, prosecutors dismissed all felony charges against Bushart, concluding there was insufficient basis to continue the prosecution.
Bushart subsequently filed a federal lawsuit with legal support from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, commonly known as FIRE.
The lawsuit alleged county officials violated Bushart’s First Amendment right to free speech and Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful arrest.
According to the complaint, Bushart lost his post-retirement job during his incarceration and missed major family milestones, including his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter.
Settlement Reached Before Federal Trial
The case was scheduled to go to trial in July in federal court in Memphis before Perry County’s insurer agreed to the $835,000 settlement.
In a public statement released after the settlement, Bushart said he was satisfied that his constitutional rights had been vindicated.
“The freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to democracy,” Bushart said, according to statements released by FIRE.
FIRE attorneys argued the case reflected broader concerns about criminal prosecutions involving online speech and political commentary.
County officials have not publicly commented in detail on the settlement terms.
Debate Over Free Speech and Online Posts
The case has drawn attention from civil liberties advocates and legal experts nationwide, particularly regarding how law enforcement agencies respond to controversial or politically charged online speech.
Legal scholars note that the First Amendment broadly protects political expression, including offensive or provocative commentary, unless statements meet the legal standard for direct threats or incitement.
The lawsuit settlement is among the larger payouts involving alleged First Amendment violations connected to social media speech in recent years.
Sources
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Date: May 22, 2026
Tags: Tennessee, Larry Bushart, Charlie Kirk, First Amendment, Free Speech, Lawsuit, Civil Rights, Facebook, United States
News by The Vagabond News.
