The District of Columbia reached an undisclosed settlement with DC resident Sam O’Hara, who says he was illegally detained by police while following a National Guard patrol and playing the Imperial March from Star Wars as a protest against the federal security surge in Washington, D.C.

O’Hara’s related claims against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck remain pending, with Beck’s lawyers seeking dismissal of those claims.

Tensions were heightened as the Guard presence began in August 2025 and remained in place nearly a year later, contributing to ongoing debates about militarization of domestic policing.

The report originates from WRAL News via the Associated Press, with AP coverage led by Michael Kunzelman.

The District’s mayor’s office did not comment, and DOJ remarks on the case were limited at the time.

The article’s originating outlet is iHeartRadio.

ACLU-D.C. legal director Scott Michelman stressed the importance of protecting free speech, noting that government officials cannot punish speech simply because they disagree with it.

DC Attorney General’s office declined comment on the settlement, while the Guard member’s representatives said the event was part of the member’s official duties.

The settlement followed an earlier in-principle agreement and a pause in the case while negotiations proceeded.

The case centers on First Amendment free-speech protections and Fourth Amendment limits on unreasonable seizure and excessive force during a September 11, 2025 encounter, with O’Hara claiming he did not interfere with the troops and was detained for 15 to 20 minutes.

The broader context involves the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard forces and federal agents to Washington, D.C. to address crime, sparking tensions with residents during the surge.

Protest through music became a focal point of grievances against the security crackdown, illustrating the friction between protest rights and government action in the capital.