In the early morning hours of July 4th, a Texas teen was assaulted in a fast food restaurant all because he was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat.
Hunter Richard, a 16-year-old fan of President Trump, was eating with friends at a Whataburger in San Antonio when another paying customer approached their table, ripped off Richard's hat, threw the teen's drink in his face, cursed at him, and then walked out waving the MAGA cap, saying, "This is going to go great in my f****** fireplace, b****."
It was all caught on video by one of Richard's friends, and the footage quickly went viral.
Warning: Strong and Offensive Language
So went out for a 2am snack and my friend (wearing a MAGA hat) had his hat stolen and a drink thrown in his face (and mine, you can see my arms on the left of the video) pic.twitter.com/B3QjBFIxPk
— Brax?? (@brxpug) July 4, 2018
According to Fox News, police were able to identify the man and arrest him.
The man accused of hurling a drink in the face of a Texas teen inside a Whataburger restaurant and then stealing the 16-year-old’s “Make America Great Again” hat was arrested Thursday, officials said.
San Antonio Police identified the suspect late Thursday as 30-year-old Kino Jimenez.
“Kino Jimenez was located in Universal City, Texas,” police said in a statement obtained by Fox News. “Universal City police officers took Mr. Jimenez into custody without incident.”
Jail records Friday morning showed Jimenez was detained on a warrant for theft of person. A jail spokesperson later told Fox News that Jimenez's bond was set at $5,000 and he was booked and released on bond the same day.
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After seeing the viral video, Donald Trump, Jr. voiced his support for Richard and asked people to imagine responses if this had happened to someone wearing a shirt supporting former President Barack Obama.
This is disgusting and a disgrace. No one should feel unsafe supporting their President @realDonaldTrump or #MAGA agenda. Imagine someone did this to an Obama supporter?!?! pic.twitter.com/ViFw0kNqKF
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 5, 2018
Trump, Jr. also made the promise that if someone could identify Richard, he would get Richard a new MAGA hat and that the President of the United States would personally sign it.
If someone can get me this young man’s information I’ll get him a new #maga hat... SIGNED by #potus!!! https://t.co/zHBz4gKpkf
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 5, 2018
Growing Political Animosity
Hunter Richard isn't the first person to be targeted for being a Trump supporter. Having his drink thrown his face because he dared to show his support for the president in public is yet another example of the increasing political animosity in the country.
On June 22, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was kicked out of the Red Hen in Lexington, Va. because she works for the Trump administration. However, the move by the restaurant's owner didn't pay off as Katie reported last week that the owner resigned from a local business organization.
Last night I was told by the owner of Red Hen in Lexington, VA to leave because I work for @POTUS and I politely left. Her actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 23, 2018
Earlier that same week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen was harassed by socialists while eating dinner at MXDC Cocina Mexicana.
"SHAME": Protesters confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about the Trump administration's immigration policy as she ate dinner @MXDCrestaurant in DC. DETAILS: https://t.co/TZMut2Vq6j pic.twitter.com/2zIszgD1Tv
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) June 20, 2018
Even Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao was forced to confront hecklers, telling them to leave her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), alone as the couple was leaving a Georgetown event.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao confronts protesters outside a DC event: "Why don't you leave my husband alone?" https://t.co/tq0KaiFkpA pic.twitter.com/BabuTLh06P
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 27, 2018
Following Sanders' removal from the Red Hen and socialists harassing DHS Secretary Nielsen at MXDC, House Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) endorsed the tactics, stating she has "no sympathy" for those who serve in the administration. She also added that people should "turn on them" and "absolutely harass" White House officials while they are living their everyday lives.
Maxine Waters on June 24, 2018: "And if you see anybody from that cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you call a crowd, and you push back on them and you tell them they're not welcome anymore anywhere." #tRump-ism pic.twitter.com/3TEeqaR0bp
— Jeffrey Guterman, Ph.D. (@JeffreyGuterman) June 25, 2018
Representative Waters' decision to engage in this type of rhetoric and fuel this animosity caused many to wonder how confrontational Progressives would be willing to get. Though Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke out against Waters' comments, this targeted harassment has now extended beyond administration officials to a teen who is not even old enough to vote.
Sen. Schumer addresses Rep. Waters: “…no one should call for the harassment of political opponents. That's not right. That's not American.” pic.twitter.com/chKWWY7XLv
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) June 26, 2018
While the Red Hen's owner was responsible for removing Sarah Sanders from the restaurant, Whataburger told Fox News that staff in the restaurant had no part in the assault and that staff did not witness it. The company added that it is doing everything it can to assist police in their investigation.
In an interview with News 4 San Antonio, Hunter Richard said, "I support my president and if you don’t let’s have a conversation about it instead of ripping my hat off. I just think a conversation about politics is more productive for the entire whole rather than taking my hat and yelling subjective words to me."
Unhinged progressives could learn a thing or two from this young man.
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