Suffolk County Community College groundskeeper says school told him not to wear 'MAGA' hat

A Suffolk County Community College groundskeeper says he was told he cannot wear his "Make America Great Again" hat while working on campus.

Salvatore Esposito, an Iraq War veteran and registered Conservative, has worked the Selden campus grounds for 11 years. He says he wore his "MAGA" hat this past Sunday and was told on Monday that he cannot do it again.

Esposito says the executive dean sent his boss an email saying he couldn't wear the hat.

The email partially reads: "While that hat doesn't have a political candidate's name nor a party or logo on it, it has nevertheless reached the level of being a clear political statement. Please reinforce to staff that political attire is not permissible during working hours."

Esposito says he was surprised because it seemed the college always allowed its staff to promote progressive ideas and wear attire with left-leaning messages.

The college administration now says the dean misspoke and that the issue is not about Esposito wearing a "MAGA" hat, but that he was wearing any hat at all.

But Esposito says he's convinced that it's still about the "MAGA" hat and what it represents.

The college says no disciplinary action was taken against Esposito and that it is working with union leadership to order uniform hats for the grounds crew.