WSU student allegedly assaulted for wearing MAGA hat

A former Washington State University instructor, Patrick Mahoney, and Gerald Hoff face fourth-degree assault charges after an incident involving a student wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. The alleged victim, Jay Sani, claimed that Mahoney ripped off his hat and attacked him while they were walking down Colorado Street in Pullman on February 28. Sani described the assault on Facebook, stating he was thrown to the ground and kicked multiple times, resulting in visible injuries. The Pullman Police Department confirmed the arrests of Mahoney and Hoff later that night. Following these allegations, Mahoney has been suspended from teaching and removed from the university's faculty page.

The incident has ignited conversations about political expression on college campuses, with conservative media outlets like Fox News and Turning Point USA covering the story. Sani also spoke about the event during a visit from conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, further amplifying the discussion. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding political symbols and free speech in educational environments.