Washington State University Instructor Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Student Over Trump Hat

A Washington State University (WSU) PhD student and instructor, Patrick Mahoney, has been arrested and suspended from teaching duties after allegedly assaulting a student for wearing a red “Take America Back” Trump 2024 hat, according to a police report obtained by The Jason Rantz Show on 770 KTTH.

The incident occurred on the Pullman campus, where the victim, engineering student Jay Sani, was allegedly confronted by Mahoney and another WSU employee, Gerald Hoff. Sani told police that Mahoney forcefully grabbed his hat and threw it, after which both Mahoney and Hoff allegedly tackled him to the ground.

The police report states that once Sani was on the ground, Mahoney “grabbed Sani’s head and slammed it into the ground.” Sani, attempting to deescalate the situation, reportedly raised his hands and verbally indicated that he was not fighting back.

When questioned by police, Mahoney admitted to taking the hat and justified his reaction by saying, “You’re fking wearing that hat, you wanted someone to fking look at it, right?” He also referred to Sani as “ol’ boy,” expressing familiarity with him from campus and describing him as a “Right Wing dude.” Mahoney claimed that Sani “body-checked” him, prompting the alleged physical response, which included striking Sani in the jaw.

Both Mahoney and Hoff were arrested for assault, as reported by KTTH. Following the arrests, WSU confirmed to The Daily Evergreen that Mahoney had been suspended and removed from all teaching responsibilities.

The incident was also captured on surveillance footage, shared publicly by Frontlines journalist Jonathan Choe on social media, which allegedly shows Mahoney and Hoff initiating the physical altercation.

Mahoney, who is described in reports as a far-left activist, has a history of political involvement, including participation in union activities and advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In the aftermath, Sani shared his perspective on social media, emphasizing the importance of First Amendment rights. “I’m an engineering student that wants to get the degree and move on. So what if I like someone that you don’t like?” Sani wrote on Facebook. “We have the 1st Amendment, and it’s not okay that just because you don’t like that person, I should be attacked for it.”

The case has intensified national conversations about political tolerance and campus safety, especially as tensions remain high during the 2024 election cycle.