Spectator kicked out of St Louis City soccer game for wearing MAGA hat, incident under review by DOJ: report

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Gregg Keller as staff of the St. Louis Dispatch. He is, in fact, founder of the Atlas Strategy Group. TPM regrets the error.
A man was removed from a St. Louis City SC soccer match after being told by stadium security that his red, “Make America Great Again” hat violated Major League Soccer’s policy on political symbols.

Video circulating on social media shows the man, who identified himself as Michael Weitzel, being escorted out of the stadium while explaining to his camera that he was asked to leave solely for wearing the hat.

In the footage, a security guard is heard telling Weitzel that while he personally supports Donald Trump as well, but that the hat is not allowed due to it being a political slogan. When Weitzel gestured to Pride flags flying inside the stadium, a guard told him those were “pre-approved.”

Under Major League Soccer’s fan code of conduct, the display of political messaging is prohibited. The rules state that “signs, symbols or images for commercial purposes or for electioneering, campaigning or advocating for or against any candidate, political party, legislative issue, or government action” are prohibited in the Stadium and parking lots controlled by the Club or MLS.

Security initially told Weitzel he could remove the hat and return to the event, but when he later tried to comply with this request, another guard informed him they were “already past that,” and he was required to leave.

While the MAGA hat appears to fall under the league’s ban, Weitzel questioned whether the policy is being enforced fairly.

“Those flags over there, those aren’t political?” he asked security, pointing towards the Pride flags. “Are these rules equally enforced on everybody?” The guard responded that the policy was in fact being enforced equally.

Gregg Keller of the Atlas Strategy Group later confirmed on social media that the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is reviewing the video.