By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan was arrested in Newport, Rhode Island after a confrontation with police at a restaurant. Bodycam footage shows Flanagan refusing to leave the establishment despite being asked to do so and repeatedly identifying herself as an attorney. Throughout the encounter, she told officers “you’re going to regret this” before being arrested and charged with willful trespass. Flanagan’s friend was also arrested on additional charges. The state’s attorney general’s office is reviewing the incident.
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The situation, as captured on video, involving the Rhode Island prosecutor, Hogan Flanagan, is pretty wild, and definitely worthy of some attention. The whole episode, from the restaurant’s initial request to the officers, to the final slam of the car door, screams of a clash between perceived entitlement and the reality of the law. It’s clear from the get-go that things took a turn for the worse, with the host of the restaurant, exasperated, requesting that the officers take action, including having them trespassed and, if needed, cuffed. You can practically feel the tension radiating from the screen as the scene unfolds.
The drama doesn’t stop there, of course. Flanagan, already in a less-than-favorable position, makes sure everyone knows she’s not just *anyone*. The repeated declaration of “I’m an AG,” as she’s being arrested, is almost comical in its attempt to exert influence. She had multiple opportunities to avoid the situation, but that’s not what transpired. You can almost picture that moment, the door closing and cutting her off mid-sentence, a fitting end to her attempts at leverage, which didn’t work on the officers. One might argue that her choice to invoke her position wasn’t the smartest move, especially when faced with a situation she could have potentially avoided.
Now, let’s address the specifics of the incident, which seems to have involved alcohol and public conduct. The assumption here is that the two women were intoxicated, something that, though not explicitly stated, can be reasonably inferred given their actions and the context of the events. The obvious question that comes to mind is, what exactly led to the police being called in the first place? This is something that remains largely unknown, other than the fact that they seemed to be loud, obnoxious and perhaps unwilling to comply with requests from the restaurant staff. Maybe they were asked to leave and refused.
The situation certainly raises questions about the proper use of authority and the application of the law, no matter who you are. It’s pretty safe to say that the prosecutor’s behavior, as captured on camera, does not present her in a flattering light. The emphasis on her position, her attempts to seemingly order the officers around, and the overall sense of superiority are definitely not what you want to see from someone in that kind of role. It’s the whole “Do you know who I am?” scenario, playing out in real-time. The fact that the officers didn’t immediately become aggressive might be attributed to the level of respect the situation demands.
Let’s not forget the legal side of this. The idea that a suspect can dictate whether or not an officer uses a body camera is, as one commenter noted, pure “bullshit lawyer stuff.” It’s also worth considering the implications of her actions, especially if she loses her job. As someone who, presumably, helps uphold the law, her actions in this case seem to undermine the very principles she is supposed to represent. It’s a clear message that no one is above the law, a reminder of the importance of accountability, regardless of one’s position.
The aftermath of this incident will be interesting to follow. The use of the “I’m an AG” line is particularly telling and, let’s be honest, a bit ridiculous. It’s not exactly a winning strategy. As for the claim that the officers should have read her Miranda rights, that’s simply not how it works.
One question that keeps popping up is, what’s the deal with this “Special Assistant Attorney General” title? It’s a position that seems to have been created for her. It raises the specter of potential abuse of power, leading one to wonder if this behavior extends into her professional capacity. That’s a significant concern if this is the case. It’s easy to imagine how someone with such an attitude could use their position to their advantage.
The whole incident is, at its core, a reminder of how quickly things can escalate when there’s a breakdown in basic decorum and respect for the law. Regardless of one’s political leanings, it’s difficult to defend the actions shown. The entire episode is the perfect example of entitlement and poor choices leading to unfortunate consequences. This situation offers a valuable lesson in the importance of self-awareness and the dangers of believing one is above the law.