PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University fired a former instructor after he allegedly attacked a student in February for wearing a pro-Donald Trump hat.
According to the student, Jay Sani, he was walking to return an incorrect food order to Valhallah Bar when former political science instructor, Patrick Mahoney, snatched his pro-Trump hat off his head and threw it into the street.
Sani said he recognized it was Mahoney from previous campus events the two had attended.
Security camera footage shows Sani, wearing a red hat and black backpack, walking toward the bar when Mahoney appears to grab the hat and toss it away. Jay retaliated by throwing his food at Mahoney, who then allegedly threw Jay to the ground and punched him several times.
“As I was falling, Patrick grabbed my chest, slammed it on the road, and then he also grabbed my head and slammed it on the pavement,” Sani said.
The incident lasted only seconds, and police arrived shortly after. Jay declined medical treatment at the scene.
“I want this to be the last time this happens to anyone, so I’ll be the one who takes this. Sometimes I do wear the hat on campus because the thing is we all need to be tolerable and accepting of each other,” Jay said.
Mahoney, who is still a WSU grad student, has been charged with fourth-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor.
Both Mahoney and Jay are scheduled to appear in court on April 29 at 9 a.m.
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