Review Staff
Dr. Rick Saccone, Adjunct Professor of Politics and former State Representative, has resigned from Saint Vincent following his involvement in January 6th’s Capitol siege.
Saccone posted a message on Facebook from the event.
“We are storming the capitol. Our vanguard has broken thru the barricades. We will save this nation. Are u with me?” he wrote.
The post has since been deleted.
Saint Vincent responded with a Twitter post announcing an investigation of the incident. The next day, January 7th, the college followed up with a message from President Paul Taylor, O.S.B., indicating that Saccone had submitted a letter of resignation.
“Concerned that his actions did not and do not reflect our mission, we immediately commenced an internal investigation of the matter. As a result, the individual has submitted and we have accepted his letter of resignation, effective immediately. This individual will no longer be associated with Saint Vincent College in any capacity,” Taylor wrote.
Taylor affirmed SVC’s commitment to free speech, but wrote that violence could not be tolerated.
“At Saint Vincent College, we teach the importance of the sanctity of human life, the rule of law, civil discourse, free speech and civil engagement, and we strongly condemn the extreme actions of violence and destruction that were on display at our nation’s capital. When beliefs and opinions devolve into illegal and violent activities, there will be no tolerance,” the email said.
Taylor went on to call for unity and healing.
Saccone offered a statement to The Review after his departure, writing that he has fond memories of Saint Vincent.
"I spent 21 wonderful years at SVC. I taught hundreds of great students, created the Hall for our Founding and International Affairs. Led students on dozens of field trips around the world. My wife has cooked for many students. I have brought many high level speakers including ambassadors and government officials to speak at the college. I have enjoyed working with the super faculty and staff and will miss everyone very much. Yong [Yong Saccone, his wife] and I wish God's blessings on you all in the future. I leave with decades of great memories and Christlike fondness," he wrote.
Saccone most recently taught at Saint Vincent during the 2019-2020 academic year. He has previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, according to Ballotpedia. He unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Conor Lamb for a US Senate seat during a 2018 special election. Saccone obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002. According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he also served in the US Air Force in South Korea and offered counterintelligence support in Iraq.
This article has been updated with a statement from Rick Saccone.