“There’s Gonna be a Price to Pay”: Former WSU Teaching Assistant Sentenced for Attack on Conservative Student

We previously discussed the arrest of former Washington State University teaching assistant Patrick Mahoney and WSU research assistant Gerald Hoff for beating down engineering student Jay Sani for wearing a Trump hat. Notably, after the attack, Mahoney explained that, if you choose to wear a pro-Trump hat, “there’s gonna be a price to pay.” There is also a price for a beat down. He was just sentenced to one week in prison and a year’s probation.

In the video, Sani was shown wearing a “Take America Back” hat and police say that Mahoney took him down and then “said ‘F**k you or f**k off’ to Sani before walking away.” Gerald Hoffin is also shown as participating in the attack.

Sani told the cops “Some people might find it offensive, but it’s 2025, man. It’s just a hat.”

When the officer interviewed Mahoney later, the instructor appeared unapologetic for an attack on the “ol’ boy”:

“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.”

The two men were charged with fourth-degree assault. Mahoney told police he had seen Sani on WSU’s campus and “knew he was a ‘right-wing dude.’” He added, “You wanna wear the hat, hey, there’s gonna be a price to pay.”

Some will find the sentencing light for an act of political violence. Hoff will avoid any jail time. According to local coverage, Mahoney told Judge Hart his actions were “an impulsive decision I made in a two-second window that I shouldn’t have made.”These attacks are being fueled by rage rhetoric on the left, including Democratic leaders insisting that democracy is about to come to an end and encouraging their followers to fight back. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger called on people to get ready to “take to the streets” because the political system is failing them. (This is the same Adam Kinzinger who previously denounced Trump and others for reckless rhetoric: “Look violent rhetoric is wrong, and has no place. But MAGA pretending they didn’t light this fire is gaslighting to the 100th power.”).

One would expect that any future teaching opportunities for Mahoney are quite limited, but many faculty members have espoused violent sentiments toward Republicans or conservatives. Some have been promoted or lionized for their positions.

Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared, “I’m going to punch these sons of bitches in the mouth.” It follows other violent rhetoric from Democratic leaders. It is not surprising that people like Mahoney, even in higher education, believe that violence is the “price” that conservatives must be prepared to pay if they openly express their political views.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”

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Author: jonathanturley

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