A Pennsylvania school bus driver has resigned from his position after being instructed that he could not wear a 'Make America Great Again' hat while transporting students, asserting that the directive infringed upon his right to free speech. Dave Bonhoff, a retired Baltimore County police officer who drove for the Littlestown Area School District, made the decision to walk away from his job rather than comply with the restriction.
Driver's Close Bond with Students
Bonhoff, affectionately known by students as 'Mr. Dave from Bus #73,' revealed that he had developed a strong and positive relationship with the children he transported daily. He expressed a deep sense of loss and stated he would eagerly return to his role if the hat restriction were lifted. 'If that wasn't a condition of my employment, I'd be back to work tomorrow,' Bonhoff told CBS 21. 'I miss the kids. Those kids and I had a great relationship.'
Dispute Origins and Supervisor's Response
The conflict began on February 18 when a student reportedly complained about Bonhoff wearing the red MAGA hat while driving. His supervisor at Krise Transportation, the company contracted to provide bus services to the district, contacted him that morning and suggested replacing the hat. 'She contacts me and says, 'Hey, listen, I'm going to buy you a hat, an American flag hat, because the school district has deemed that they don't want you to wear that 'Make America Great Again' hat,' Bonhoff recalled.
Decision to Resign
Rather than remove the hat, Bonhoff decided to leave his job just before completing his afternoon route. He emphasized that the phrase on the hat is patriotic rather than political, arguing that it should not be seen as partisan. 'There's nothing in this hat that says anything about partisanship,' he said. 'I think that saying that this hat is political is absurd. It's patriotic.'
Broader Implications and Historical Context
When questioned about critics who link the slogan closely to President Donald Trump, Bonhoff dismissed the idea, stating, '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 also noted that the phrase has been used by leaders from both major political parties in the past, including former presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
School District and Company Policies
The Littlestown Area School District clarified that the driver was not employed directly by the district but by Krise Transportation. Acting superintendent Al Moyer stated that administrators believe school systems should remain 'neutral on sensitive issues.' Krise Transportation pointed to its dress code policy, which prohibits employees from wearing clothing with text or graphics deemed inappropriate by management, including items referencing political sentiments.
Company's Stance and Driver's Perspective
In a statement, Krise Transportation denied giving Bonhoff an ultimatum about the hat but reiterated its policy. Despite this, Bonhoff maintained that the request was unfair and infringed on his personal expression. 'I want to be able to express myself,' he said. 'I don't want somebody to tell me, well, my feelings are hurt. You got to take the hat off.'
This incident highlights ongoing debates over free speech in the workplace, particularly in educational settings where neutrality is often emphasized. Bonhoff's departure underscores the personal and professional tensions that can arise when individual expression clashes with institutional policies aimed at maintaining a non-partisan environment.
