One man in WSU case settles with plea deal

Gerald Hoff, 24, settled a fourth-degree assault charge related to an incident involving Washington State University student Jay Sani, who wore pro-Trump attire. During a Thursday hearing in Pullman’s Whitman County District Court, Hoff had the charge dismissed in exchange for a misdemeanor and was ordered to pay $150 in restitution to Sani. The confrontation on February 28 escalated after Mahoney, a Ph. D. student, allegedly grabbed Sani's pro-Trump hat and threw it into the street, leading to a physical altercation.

Mahoney remains charged with fourth-degree assault and is set to appear in court on August 21. The case highlights the political divisions on campus, as Sani and Mahoney were involved in opposing campus political groups. The incident attracted coverage from conservative news outlets, emphasizing its significance in the broader context of campus political discourse. Sani spoke publicly about the incident during a visit from conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in mid-April, drawing further attention to the case. The resolution of Hoff's case represents a legal outcome that underscores the complexities of political expression in educational environments.