Teacher wins free speech case after wearing Trump-themed hat to school

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a former teacher in Vancouver, Washington, concluding that his wearing a hat supporting Donald Trump to school was protected speech under the first amendment.

Documents from the ninth circuit court of appeals show that Eric Dodge, a science teacher, brought the Make America Great Again baseball cap to an Evergreen Public Schools building twice before the 2019-2020 school year.

According to the Columbian newspaper, the first occasion was a staff-only cultural sensitivity and racial bias training.

Under the US constitution, freedom of expression does have significant exceptions.

Neither Dodge nor Garrett could be reached for comment. Michael McFarland, a lawyer representing the school district and Gomes, said his clients were happy with the ruling.