Patrick Hogarty, a former dean of students at Campus Middle School in Cherry Creek School District, has filed a lawsuit claiming that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was fired for expressing pride in the United States during a mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. The lawsuit, filed by America First Legal, accuses the district of retaliating against Hogarty for stating that he believes the U.S. is “the greatest country in the world.”
The incident occurred on January 18, 2024, during a DEI training session where Hogarty responded to a question about his identity as a white American. His pro-American statement was reported to school administrators, and the district’s equity director labeled his comments as having “racist undertones.” By March, Hogarty’s position was eliminated due to “budgetary reasons,” though the lawsuit alleges this was merely an excuse to punish him for his views.
Ian Prior, senior advisor for America First Legal, condemned the district’s actions, asserting, “Cherry Creek has replaced the Bill of Rights with the ‘DEI Manifesto.’ Teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the values that make America great.”
The lawsuit further claims that Hogarty was placed on administrative leave for “unprofessional conduct” after he pushed back against the district’s justification for his termination. The case has garnered significant attention as it challenges the balance between free speech and DEI mandates in schools.
With school districts nationwide adopting DEI programs, Hogarty’s case could set a precedent for how educators’ constitutional rights are protected when their views clash with politically driven policies.
