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Rantz: WSU instructor arrested for allegedly attacking Trump-hat wearing student

Apr 16, 2025, 3:00 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2025, 3:29 pm

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A WSU instructor is accused of assaulting a student, triggered by a Trump hat. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

A Washington State University (WSU) instructor and PhD student was arrested for allegedly assaulting an engineering student who was wearing a red “Take America Back” hat from the 2024 Donald Trump campaign, according to a police report obtained by “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.

The victim, Jay Sani, told Pullman Police that he was walking to a restaurant when the suspect, identified as Patrick Mahoney, grabbed the MAGA hat and threw it onto the street. After attempting to defend himself, the police reports say that Mahoney, along with a second suspect identified as Gerald Hoff, “grabbed Sani and took him to the ground.”

“Once on the ground, Mahoney grabbed Sani’s head and slammed it into the ground. Sani then moved his hands to approximately shoulder height and said something to the effect of he put his hands up to not make the fight worse. Mahoney then said ‘F**k you or f**k off’ to Sani before walking away,” the police report says.

The incident was captured on video surveillance.

Officer details his investigation into alleged assault

The officer said he contacted Mahoney and asked him what had happened. He referred to Sani as “ol’ boy,” according to the officer. The police report says Mahoney admitted to grabbing the hat and throwing it in the street, telling the officer, “You know, you’re f**king wearing that hat, you wanted someone to f**king look at it, right?”

“I asked Mahoney what happened tonight. Mahoney said that he saw ‘ol’ boy’ walking around. Mahoney did not name Sani by name but said ‘I’ve seen this guy, f**king, on campus before. I know he’s like f**king Right Wing dude. He’s got a f**king, like, Make America Great Again
hat.'”

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Mahoney told police that Sani responded with a “body check” or “grab,” and that’s when he took Sani to the ground, before he “punched Sani and specified that the punch was to Sani’s jaw.”

The officer then arrested both Mahoney and Hoff for assault.

YouTube video

Who is WSU’s Patrick Mahoney?

The Daily Evergreen reports that Mahoney is a WSU instructor, a PhD student in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, and a former guide for United Auto Workers 4591, a union for WSU student employees.

“WSU suspended and removed Mahoney from all classes he previously taught,” The Daily Evergreen reported.

Barstool Wazzu reposted an email send to students in Mahoney’s class from the department’s director. It noted that the class would have a new instructor, but did not mention Mahoney.

Mahoney has been described as a far-left activist. The Daily Mail notes he’s been “active in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including advocating for the Pullman City Council to sign a Gaza ceasefire resolution.”

Victim speaks out against ‘toxic’ Left

Sani released a statement on Facebook where he detailed the alleged assault. He says he’s also retained legal representation. He called out “how toxic the left has gotten,” noting that he was bruised as a result of the alleged attack.

“To make it clear, I hate to say this, but i’m [sic] brown, but forget it,” he wrote. “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. We have the 1st amendment, and its not okay that just because you don’t like that person, I should be attacked for it. You had a chance in November to oust him, but you didn’t.”

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason Rantz on XInstagramYouTube, and Facebook.

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Rantz: WSU instructor arrested for allegedly attacking Trump-hat wearing student