Freedom 250 fan in Uncle Sam suit cites 'patriotic expression' after 'lewd' act charges

A Freedom 250 fan charged with lewd acts at President Donald Trump's Great American State Fair is claiming his alleged conduct was constitutionally protected "patriotic expression."

Gian Rachtelli, 54, a Baltimore-area MAGA livestreamer known as "Manny," was arrested June 25 at a Cirque Mechanics acrobatic show on the National Mall.

Prosecutors charged him with "lewd, indecent, or obscene acts," according to court records.

His attorney, James D. Valentine, filed a motion June 30 in D.C. Superior Court asking a judge to narrow or eliminate the stay-away order barring Rachtelli from the entire National Mall.

"The stay away order is overbroad," the motion said. "All of the alleged activity occurred in the vicinity of the cirque mechanics stage area while Mr. Gian Rachtelli was dressed in a red, white and blue patriotic 'Uncle Sam' outfit,... He engaged in political and patriotic expressions of free speech."

"[T]he overly broad prohibition against him from entering the National Mall entirely constitutes an unnecessary restriction of his constitutional rights," the motion argued. The current order bars Rachtelli from the Mall between Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue, and from 1st Street SE to 14th Street NW — a span of roughly two miles.

"[T]he alleged activity occurred in the vicinity of the cirque mechanics stage," the motion said, asking the court to limit any restriction to within 50 yards of that stage. "Mr. Rachtelli and his wife have purchased plane and hotel tickets to fly to Washington, D.C., from July 1-5, 2026, to attend the Great American State Fair."

The attorney argued that his client was "concerned that in addition to the financial harm, the current restriction publicly brands him as excluded from a major patriotic event and contributes to damaging his reputation."

Three witnesses told police they observed Rachtelli making lewd gestures during the performance, according to the arrest affidavit. One said he "returned for the second show."

Since the arrest, supporters have declared him a martyr, the Daily Beast reported.

Rachtelli's next court date is Aug. 19, 2026.