VANCOUVER, Wash. – A lawsuit against a former Washington teacher who wore a political message to school has been ruled in his favor.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Vancouver science teacher’s decision to wear a Make America Great Again hat was protected speech under the First Amendment.

Court documents show that Eric Dodge brought the cap with him to a school building twice before the 2019-2020 school year.

The first occasion was to a staff-only cultural sensitivity and racial bias training.

Middle School Principal Caroline Garret allegedly told him to use better judgment.

Dodge said he was verbally attacked by Garret and other school employees after bringing the hat again, and that retaliation amounted to a violation of his First Amendment rights.

The appeals panel concluded that the district failed to show evidence of a tangible disruption to school operations.

Dodge resigned in 2020.