Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), May 21, 2026 - Larry Bushart is a retired law enforcement officer and National Guardsman who believes, like many Americans, that free speech includes the right to react to the news — even when the moment is tense or controversial.
In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Larry posted a meme on Facebook responding to the event. He did not commit violence. He did not threaten anyone. All he did was post an image of President Trump’s remark about a school shooting with the caption: “This seems relevant today.”
But local authorities didn’t like what he said, so they arrested him.
Larry spent 37 days in jail on a $2 million bond for speech protected by the First Amendment. That’s the kind of treatment usually reserved for accused murderers and violent criminals. He lost his post-retirement job, missed his wedding anniversary, and the birth of his grandchild. In the United States, this should be unthinkable.
That’s why FIRE represented Larry in a lawsuit against the government for violating his constitutional rights and secured an $835K settlement on his behalf.
For more than two decades, FIRE has defended Americans whose free speech rights were violated by those in power. From students and professors to journalists, parents, and everyday citizens, we step in when government officials abuse their authority to silence speech.
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| Larry Bushart |
What happened to Larry isn’t just an attack on one person — it’s a warning about what happens when government power goes unchecked, and a preview of our future if we don’t stand up to defend everyone’s freedom of speech.
Stand for free speech. Stand with Larry.
Join the fight to ensure no one else is jailed for exercising their rights.
Rod's Comment
The above article doesn't mention it, but Larry Bushart is a Tennessee man. He was arrested in September 2025 by Lexington, Tennessee, police and jailed in Perry County.
What happened to Larry Bushart is an outrage. As we watch President Trump advance his authoritarian agenda, we can expect more of this. I know the pro-democracy side in this conflict with Trump authoritarianism often feels disheartened. The establishment of a $1.77 billion slush fund to reward those who commit violence or other crimes on Trump's behalf will embolden Trumpinista radicals. The defeat of the last vestige of traditional Republicanism in recent Republican primaries is depressing, and we can feel like authoritarianism is inevitable and there is no point in resisting. Especially for us conservatives and Republican exiles, the future of our nation looks bleak. It can often appear that the only choice is between Trumpian authoritarianism and corruption or progressive democratic socialism. It can feel like we might as well withdraw from civic life and focus on hobbies, family, and entertainment.
We shouldn't despair. There are victories, like this one. We can't afford to withdraw and give up. Too much is at stake. How much common cause we can make with the left can be a difficult decision. I have no illusion that many in the anti-Trump coalition are any more committed to the values I hold dear than are the Trumpinistas. Yet, there are things we can do. One is to support sane democrats if you can find them and traditional Republicans who have not sold their soul to Donald Trump, if can find them. Another is to support real journalism so the truth of what is happening does not get buried by Trump media and Trump-adjacent media. Another is to support organizations like FIRE. They are fighting for free speech wherever it is threatened and are one of the organizations I support with my charitable giving.
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