District of Columbia Settlement concluded a lawsuit filed by protester Sam O’Hara after authorities detained him during a demonstration involving National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. The agreement resolves claims that police unlawfully detained him and used excessive force during the September 2025 encounter.
Court records show the District of Columbia agreed to pay O’Hara $50,000 to settle the case. The settlement follows allegations that officers violated his constitutional rights after he followed an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing “The Imperial March” from the Star Wars films on his cellphone.
O’Hara, who works in the hospitality industry and is also an artist, said he accepted the settlement. However, he expressed disappointment that taxpayers would cover the payment rather than the individuals he believes were responsible for violating his rights. He stated that true accountability would require those directly involved to bear the financial consequences.
The incident occurred on Sept. 11, 2025, while National Guard personnel were patrolling streets in Washington, D.C. According to the lawsuit, O’Hara walked behind several Guard members while playing the well-known Darth Vader theme from his phone.
The lawsuit described the demonstration as a satirical protest directed at President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard forces throughout the nation’s capital. O’Hara maintained that his actions represented protected political expression rather than criminal conduct.
According to the legal complaint, one National Guard member contacted local police after observing O’Hara following the patrol. Metropolitan Police Department officers then stopped him and placed him in handcuffs.
O’Hara alleged officers kept him handcuffed tightly for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before releasing him. Authorities did not file criminal charges following the detention.
The following month, O’Hara filed a civil lawsuit against the District of Columbia, four Metropolitan Police Department officers, and one Ohio National Guard member. The complaint alleged violations of both the First Amendment and the Fourth Amendment.
The lawsuit argued that officials unlawfully restricted protected speech by detaining him during the protest. It also claimed officers conducted an unlawful seizure and used excessive force while placing him in handcuffs.
In addition to constitutional claims, the lawsuit sought compensatory and punitive damages for allegations that included false imprisonment, battery, and retaliation connected to protected speech.
The court filing announcing the settlement ends the legal dispute without a trial. The agreement resolves O’Hara’s claims against the District of Columbia while avoiding further court proceedings.
The events unfolded during a period of increased federal security throughout Washington, D.C. President Trump ordered National Guard deployments after declaring a crime emergency in the nation’s capital several weeks earlier.
The expanded military presence generated public debate across the city. Some residents criticized the deployment as excessive federal involvement, while officials maintained the measures addressed public safety concerns.
Although the settlement resolves the civil lawsuit, it does not determine liability through a judicial ruling. Instead, both sides concluded the matter through an agreed financial resolution filed with the court.
District of Columbia Settlement closes a legal dispute centered on constitutional claims arising from an off-duty protest. The case also highlights continuing public discussion surrounding law enforcement responses to demonstrations and the balance between public safety responsibilities and constitutional protections.
