A bus driver for the Littlestown Area School District in Adams County, Pennsylvania, resigned last Friday after being instructed by his employer, Krise Transportation, to remove a "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hat while on duty. The request followed a complaint from a student regarding the hat.
Dave Bonhoff, a retired Baltimore County police officer known to students as “Mr. Dave from Bus #73,” was presented with the option to either remove the hat or switch to an American-flag-themed alternative. Bonhoff, who was employed by Krise Transportation, a private company outsourcing services to the school district, chose to resign rather than comply with the request.
Speaking to WHP-TV, Bonhoff expressed his disappointment, stating, “If that wasn’t a condition of my employment, I’d be back to work tomorrow. I miss the kids. Those kids and I had a great relationship.” He defended his choice to wear the hat, asserting its message was patriotic rather than partisan. “There’s nothing in this hat that says anything about partisanship. I think that saying this hat is political is absurd. It’s patriotic,” Bonhoff told the outlet.
When questioned about the hat’s strong association with President Donald Trump, Bonhoff replied, “I would say that making America great is what we should all strive to be. Anybody who doesn’t want America to prosper, I take issue with them.” He further noted, referencing The Blaze, that the phrase “Make America Great Again” has been used by past presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, suggesting its roots extend beyond contemporary political figures.
Acting Superintendent Al Moyer of the Littlestown Area School District clarified that Bonhoff was an employee of Krise Transportation, not the school district itself. Moyer emphasized that schools and other public institutions are expected to maintain an environment of political neutrality. Krise Transportation cited its dress code policy, which prohibits apparel with "text or graphics deemed inappropriate by management," including political messaging. The company, however, denied issuing an explicit ultimatum to Bonhoff.
Despite the controversy and the potential impact on his employment, Bonhoff remained firm in his decision. “I want to be able to express myself,” he stated. “I don’t want somebody to tell me, ‘Well, my feelings are hurt. You got to take the hat off.’”
The incident has drawn attention from state officials. Republican Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano publicly defended Bonhoff, characterizing the situation as an instance of intimidation disguised as sensitivity. Mastriano, as quoted by Newsweek, stated, “Mr. Bonhoff is a retired police officer who continued serving his community by safely transporting children to school. Yet he was effectively forced out of his job because he wore a hat that read ‘Make America Great Again.’” He added, “Whether someone agrees with that message is completely irrelevant. In America, citizens do not lose their First Amendment rights simply because someone else claims to be offended.”
The MAGA hat has become a widely recognized and often polarizing symbol, inextricably linked to President Donald Trump and the modern Republican movement. While many institutions, particularly those involving children, implement policies aimed at limiting political displays to foster neutrality and inclusivity, critics argue that such enforcement can sometimes infringe upon individuals' lawful rights to expression.
Bonhoff’s resignation underscores the persistent tension between an individual’s right to personal expression and the workplace policies designed to maintain a neutral environment, especially within public-facing roles or those serving educational institutions. His decision has prompted a broader national discussion regarding the scope of First Amendment rights, the limits of workplace dress codes, and the nature of political expression in contemporary society.
