A Pennsylvania school bus driver resigned in the middle of his shift after being told he could not wear a red “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat while transporting students.
Dave Bonhoff, a retired Baltimore County police officer who had been working as a school bus driver, said he decided to walk away from the job rather than remove the hat.
According to Bonhoff, the issue began on February 18 after a student reportedly complained about the political message on his hat. School officials later informed him that he could not wear it while operating the bus.
Bonhoff said a supervisor contacted him and suggested an alternative.
“She told me she’d buy me a different hat with the American flag on it because the district didn’t want me wearing the ‘Make America Great Again’ hat,” he explained.
The driver said he believes he should be allowed to express his personal views and did not agree with the request.
“I want to be able to express myself. I don’t want someone telling me their feelings are hurt and I have to take the hat off,” Bonhoff said.
Rather than comply with the request, Bonhoff chose to quit his position before completing his afternoon route.
The situation has sparked debate online about political expression in schools and workplace policies for employees interacting with students.
