BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont State Police sergeant who was suspended from his job after allegedly praising on his own time the criminal insurgency that entered the U.S. Capitol last week has resigned.
Lucas Hall resigned his position late Tuesday before the investigation into his conduct could be completed. Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling says the details of the investigation into Hall’s actions will be forwarded to the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council for consideration of sanctions that could include his decertification as a police officer.
A social media post made after the riots in the name Luke Hall said: “God Bless America!!!! Cheers to the great Patriots in Washington DC. The time has come … Let’s gooooo!!!””
Schirling said the state police received a report about Hall’s posts on Jan. 7, the day after thousands of Trump supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol. At least five people died. He immediately suspended Hall, saying his posts “caused pain and anguish on the part of Vermonters during an already indescribably stressful time in our national history.
“While we recognize the rights of all people including sworn law enforcement officers to express their views, advocating for the overthrow of the constitutionally defined democratic election process by force or violence violates our oath of office to uphold the Constitution.”
Hall could not be reached for comment.
