LEXINGTON, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Facebook meme quoting President Donald Trump cost a Henderson County man his freedom, and a new explanation from the Perry County sheriff was contradicted by the arresting police department.

Larry Bushart, a retired law enforcement officer who posted dozens of memes critical of the Trump administration on the day of his Sept. 21 arrest, remains at the Perry County Jail. The Perry County Sheriff's Office claimed he "threatened mass violence at school." A judge set his bond at $2 million before his Dec. 4 preliminary hearing.

A court affidavit links Larry's arrest to Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems. An investigator said they received a message from the sheriff "regarding a Facebook post Larry Bushart made on the What's Happening in Perry County, TN Facebook page."

News 2 does not have access to the Facebook group to independently review Bushart's post, but the affidavit said he was commenting on a post about a vigil for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

The affidavit's description of Larry's comment matches a meme shared in 2024 by the gun safety group Everytown. Next to an image of President Trump, the meme says "We have to get over it," citing a comment made by "Donald Trump on the Perry High School mass shooting day after." Bushart wrote, "This seems relevant today..." according to the affidavit.

Everytown's meme references a mass shooting at Perry High School in Iowa in 2024. A 17-year-old boy killed two people and wounded six others before killing himself. At a campaign event after the shooting, President Trump said, "It's just horrible to see that happening. It's just horrible. So surprising to see it here, but uhh... we have to get over it. We have to move forward."

In body camera video released by Lexington police, one of the officers responding to Bushart's home on Sept. 21 told him, "So Perry County has called back again. OK? And they've ended up issuing a warrant for you. OK? So you're gonna have to come with us. We'll get you booked in, get all this figured out. And then you'll have to take it up with them and their court."

Bushart and his wife do not ask many questions in the video. They seemed to know why he was being arrested. A few hours earlier, Larry said on Facebook he "received a visit from Lexington PD regarding my posted memes on 'What's Happening in Perry County.'"

As Bushart walks out of his home to be handcuffed, his wife told an officer, "He thinks it's just freedom of speech, you know? And I tried to tell him, you know, this is..." The officer responded, "Yeah, but like he was saying earlier, we kinda have nothing to do with it." Bushart's wife said she understood: "It's just y'all's job." The officer replied, "Yeah, but hopefully it works out for you all."

As an officer escorted Bushart into jail, the officer told him he was being charged with "threatening mass violence at a school." 

Officer: And just to clarify, this is what they charged you with.
Larry Bushart: OK. 
Officer: threatening mass violence at a school. 
Bushart: At a school? 
Officer: It's referring to a school. I have no idea.
Bushart: I know; I know.  
Officer: That's what they've called us for, and I ain't got a clue. 
Bushart: I play on Facebook. I threatened no one. I know you don't give a... (laughter)
Officer: I ain't got a clue. I just gotta do what I've gotta do. 
Bushart: I've been in Facebook jail. 
Officer: I'm not saying whether you did or didn't do anything.
Bushart: (Unintelligible) But I don't think I committed a crime. 
Officer: That's what I'm saying. I'm not saying you did or did not commit a crime. 
Bushart: I may have been an ***hole, officer, but...
Officer: That's not illegal...

In a statement to News 2, Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems claimed, "We coordinated with other departments to approach Mr. Bushart and provide options to de-escalate the situation before an arrest was made. Mr. Bushart declined to clarify his public messages and calm the situation that was causing multiple, reasonable citizens to be in fear of their children’s safety at school."

News 2 asked Weems via text message, "What agency did you work with to try to have Larry Bushart clarify and deescalate?" Weems replied, "My investigator reached out to Lexington pd." When News 2 asked Lexington's police chief whether his department was involved in any way with asking Bushart to deescalate or clarify his messages, the chief responded, "No."

Here is Weems' full statement:

We understand the case of Mr. Bushart has gained attention far beyond our community.
As Sheriff, I was elected to serve and protect Perry County residents.

Mr. Bushart was not brought to our attention simply because of his speech, but for the public repercussions of that speech. We coordinated with other departments to approach Mr. Bushart, and provide options to de-escalate the situation before an arrest was made. Mr. Bushart declined to clarify his public messages, and calm the situation that was causing multiple, reasonable citizens to be in fear of their children’s safety at school. In accordance with the Tennessee Code Annotated, and with the coordination of our district attorney’s office an arrest was initiated. 

Mr. Bushart's bond and final charges are not decisions made by this department.  

In recent weeks, our deputies, leadership, and 911 dispatchers have been significantly threatened by persons residing in other states. While we welcome citizen feedback, these recorded calls have included violence, threats of harm, and racial slurs.  This behavior is shocking and unacceptable and is currently being investigated.

Like any citizen facing accusations, Mr. Bushart is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/facebook-meme-quoting-trump-costs-tn-man-his-freedom/