Brad Nall Des Moines Iowa: The Unseen Aftermath Of The Viral Political Protest Incident

As of December 2025, the name "Brad Nail" in Des Moines, Iowa, is almost certainly a reference to the highly-publicized legal case of Bradley "Brad" Nall, a local man who became the center of a national political controversy. The initial search term, "Brad Nail," is a common misspelling of the name of the individual involved in a viral 2019 incident on a Des Moines bridge that resulted in misdemeanor criminal charges.

This article provides a deep dive into the incident, the subsequent legal action taken by the Polk County authorities, and the broader context of the political division it exposed in the heart of Iowa. While initial news coverage was intense, the final disposition of the case was not widely reported, leaving a significant gap in the public record that this analysis attempts to bridge.

Bradley Jay Nall: Biography, Charges, and Public Controversy

Bradley Jay Nall, often referred to as Brad Nall, is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, whose life was thrust into the national spotlight due to a confrontation that was captured on video and quickly went viral. The incident, which occurred on a local bridge, highlighted the escalating tensions between political factions in the United States.

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• Full Name: Bradley Jay Nall
• Common Reference: Brad Nall (often misspelled as Brad Nail)
• Residence: Des Moines, Iowa
• Age at Time of Incident: 68 years old (as of the August 2019 incident)
• Key Incident Date: August 12, 2019
• Location of Incident: A Des Moines bridge (specifically the 56th Street bridge)
• Charges Filed: Assault (Simple Misdemeanor) and Fifth-Degree Criminal Mischief (Simple Misdemeanor)
• Political Affiliation (Stated): Supporter of former President Donald Trump (based on actions and subsequent GoFundMe)

The controversy began when a video circulated online showing Nall confronting a group of women who were protesting on a bridge overpass. The protesters had displayed signs and placards critical of then-President Donald Trump. Nall was allegedly seen tearing down the signs and engaging in a physical confrontation, which led to the charges being filed by the Des Moines Police Department.

The Viral Incident and Legal Fallout

The confrontation quickly escalated from a local dispute to a national talking point, largely due to the graphic nature of the video. The footage captured the moment Nall allegedly approached the protesters, tore down their signs, and was accused of acting aggressively, which formed the basis for the assault charge.

The legal charges filed against Nall were two misdemeanors: assault and fifth-degree criminal mischief. In Iowa, a simple misdemeanor is the lowest level of criminal offense, typically punishable by a fine and/or up to 30 days in jail. The criminal mischief charge was directly related to the destruction of the protest signs.

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The incident sparked a significant public debate about the limits of free speech, the right to protest, and the increasing polarization in American political life. The Des Moines Police Department’s decision to file charges underscored the legal view that political disagreements do not grant an individual the right to commit assault or destroy private property, regardless of the message.

The GoFundMe Campaign and Public Reaction

Following the incident and the filing of charges, a GoFundMe campaign was reportedly launched on Nall’s behalf, titled "Support for Patriot Standing for Trump". This fundraiser was intended to cover his legal fees and was framed by supporters as backing a "patriot" who stood up against anti-Trump sentiment. This added another layer of topical authority and controversy, as it monetized a politically charged legal situation.

The reaction was sharply divided, reflecting the national political landscape:

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• Supporters: Viewed Nall’s actions as a justifiable response to political opposition, seeing him as a victim of a biased media and legal system. They contributed to the GoFundMe, expressing solidarity with his pro-Trump stance.
• Critics: Condemned his actions as an act of aggression and vandalism, arguing that it was a clear violation of the protesters' rights and a dangerous example of political intolerance. They praised the Des Moines Police Department for filing the charges.

The debate in local Des Moines and Polk County forums was particularly intense, with many citizens weighing in on the appropriateness of the charges and the ethics of the confrontation.

The Elusive Court Outcome and Current Status

Despite the high-profile nature of the initial arrest and charge filing, public news reports regarding the final verdict or disposition of Bradley Jay Nall’s assault and criminal mischief case are scarce. This is a common occurrence with misdemeanor cases, where the final resolution often does not receive the same media attention as the initial arrest.

The case was handled in the Polk County District Court system, where misdemeanor charges are adjudicated. A typical resolution for such a case might include:

1. A plea bargain, where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or receives a deferred judgment.
2. A small fine and/or community service.
3. A dismissal of one or both charges, often in exchange for a plea on a different, related offense.

Without a definitive public statement or widely-reported news follow-up, the exact outcome remains a point of speculation for those who followed the story. The lack of a major headline about a lengthy jail sentence suggests that the case likely concluded with a standard misdemeanor disposition, such as a fine or probation, or was resolved through a plea agreement that did not require extensive public reporting.

Why "Brad Nail" is a Persistent Search Term

The continued search for "Brad Nail Des Moines Iowa" years after the incident is a testament to the power of viral media and the difficulty of correcting initial misspellings. The entity of "Brad Nall" is now permanently linked to the political tension of the late 2010s in the Des Moines area.

The search term also sometimes confuses the individual with the actual construction item, the brad nail, which is a type of small-gauge finishing nail used in carpentry and available at hardware stores across West Des Moines and the greater Iowa region. This confusion adds a layer of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) to the search query, blending a human interest story with a commercial product.

Bradley Nall’s Legacy in Des Moines Political Discourse

The incident involving Bradley Jay Nall serves as a case study in the intersection of local politics, digital media, and law enforcement. It demonstrated how quickly a local dispute in Des Moines could be amplified into a national political symbol, a phenomenon that has become increasingly common in the digital age.

The event fueled discussions among Des Moines residents about:

• Civility in Public Space: The acceptable boundaries of confrontation during political demonstrations.
• Enforcement of Misdemeanors: The role of the Des Moines Police Department and Polk County courts in prosecuting politically motivated minor crimes.
• Digital Accountability: The immediate and lasting consequences for individuals whose actions are captured and shared widely on platforms like YouTube and social media.

While Bradley Nall himself has largely faded from the national media spotlight, the legal and ethical questions raised by his actions—tearing down signs and confronting protesters—continue to resonate. The case remains a significant, if quiet, marker in the history of political activism and legal accountability in Des Moines, Iowa. For those searching for the most current information, the last definitive public update remains the filing of the assault and criminal mischief charges, with the final court disposition likely settled quietly in the Polk County system.