Case against Pullman man accused of assaulting Trump-supporting WSU student resolved

Gerald Hoff, 24, resolved his fourth-degree assault charge by agreeing to a misdemeanor in a plea deal related to the assault of a Washington State University student wearing pro-Trump attire. The deal, finalized during a hearing on Thursday in Pullman’s Whitman County District Court, requires Hoff to pay $150 in restitution to the victim, Jay Sani. The incident began on February 28 when Sani was confronted by Hoff and 34-year-old Patrick Mahoney after picking up food from a local restaurant. According to police reports, Mahoney threw Sani's pro-Trump hat into the street, prompting Sani to respond by throwing his food. The confrontation escalated as Mahoney and Hoff allegedly physically assaulted Sani.

Mahoney, a Ph. D. student, has been relieved of his teaching duties at WSU due to the incident. He still faces a fourth-degree assault charge, with a court appearance scheduled for August 21. The case has garnered attention from conservative news outlets, reflecting broader political divides on college campuses.