A Rhode Island prosecutor’s shocking abuse of power caught on bodycam reveals the entitlement mindset plaguing government officials who believe they’re above the law.
Story Snapshot
- Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan arrested for trespassing after threatening police officers
- Bodycam footage shows Flanagan demanding officers turn off cameras and warning “You’re going to regret this”
- Incident highlights government official abuse of authority and erosion of equal justice under law
- Police officers maintained professionalism despite attempts at intimidation and position-based coercion
Government Official Threatens Law Enforcement During Arrest
Devon Hogan Flanagan, a Special Assistant Attorney General for Rhode Island, was arrested August 14, 2025, outside Newport’s Clarke Cooke House restaurant for trespassing. The bodycam footage reveals Flanagan’s brazen attempt to leverage her government position, repeatedly telling officers “I’m an AG” and demanding they turn off their body cameras. Her threatening statement “You’re going to regret this” exemplifies the dangerous mindset of officials who believe their positions place them above accountability.
Restaurant staff called Newport Police after Flanagan and her companion, Veronica Hannan, refused multiple requests to leave the establishment. Officers arrived to find both women intoxicated and uncooperative, with Flanagan immediately attempting to use her prosecutorial authority to avoid consequences. The incident demonstrates how some government officials view their positions as shields against the very laws they’re sworn to uphold.
Police Officers Stand Firm Against Government Intimidation
Newport Police officers displayed commendable professionalism throughout the encounter, refusing Flanagan’s demands to disable their body cameras and maintaining proper arrest procedures despite her threats. Their adherence to protocol prevented what could have been a cover-up of official misconduct. The officers’ actions demonstrate that rank-and-file law enforcement still respects constitutional principles and equal justice, even when pressured by higher-ranking government officials.
The bodycam footage, released August 18-19, 2025, provides irrefutable evidence of Flanagan’s conduct and the officers’ professional response. This transparency serves as a crucial check against government abuse and protects both the public and honest law enforcement officers from false accusations or retaliation attempts by corrupt officials.
Implications for Government Accountability and Justice System Integrity
This incident exposes the entitlement culture within government ranks that threatens constitutional principles of equal justice. Flanagan’s behavior represents a broader problem of officials who view their positions as immunity from consequences rather than obligations to serve the public. Her attempt to manipulate police procedures undermines both law enforcement integrity and prosecutorial credibility in future cases she might handle.
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office faces mounting pressure to take decisive disciplinary action against Flanagan. Public trust in the justice system depends on swift accountability measures that demonstrate no official is above the law. Failure to act decisively sends a dangerous message that government positions provide special privileges, further eroding faith in American institutions and the rule of law.
Sources:
‘You’re going to regret this’: Bodycam video shows assistant attorney general’s arrest
