Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his resignation #FireBlanton https://t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY. The backdrop: The report found that Blanton serially misused government-issued vehicles for personal trips, and falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. President Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton Monday after lawmakers from both sides of the aisle demanded he resign or be fired. President Biden on Monday fired the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton after a report alleged he abused his office. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. Action-backed rhetoric fuels uncandidate DeSantis' launch strategy, I asked ChatGPT to invent a new cocktail. President Joe Biden has fired embattled Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, who oversees the historic building that houses Congress and its expansive grounds, as pressure mounted for his removal following a scathing inspector general report of personal and management lapses. Click Whats Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024? Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. The report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements lacking evidence.. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. Blanton was appointed in 2019 by President Donald Trump to a ten-year term. His responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol's property management and operations. Blanton was three years into a 10-year-long term. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. An Inspector General report released in October 2022 found that Blanton and his family improperly used agency vehicles, taking them to West Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina. The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. I look forward to continuing to conduct robust oversight to ensure our government is accountable to the American people, Steil said in a statement on Monday. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. ", The call was echoed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who tweeted that Blanton "no longer has my confidence to continue in his job.. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton, a White House official told NBC News on Monday, in the wake of a report that said he had abused his authority and misused taxpayer money overseeing the Capitol complex. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. President Biden on Monday fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton following allegations that he misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer and led banned tours, among other charges. The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the impact of climate change and sea level rise on coastal communities as lawmakers reach an impasse on addressing the problem. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country while serving in this particular role, I have taken my commitment to transform the agencys culture to promote a positive workplace for every AOC employee, Blanton said. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy tweeted. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. This was all while the government was footing the bill for her travels. There were some $13,926.56 in costs attributed to the Ford Explorer. Outrageous that you were not here.. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. After being given the opportunity to respond to numerous allegations of legal, ethical, and administrative violations, and failing to directly respond, the President has removed Mr. Brett Blanton from his position a decision I firmly stand behind, he said. "I am outraged that you would be in a comfortable place while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, outrageous that you were not here," she said. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy wrote. The complaint said that the black SUV's driver was "extremely reckless in the parking garage and swerving out of the garage at a high rate of speed, estimated to be about 65 miles per hour in a 30-mph zone.". Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-N.C.) took issue with the Architect of the Capitols office having a telework policy, though Blanton said he is now going to the Capitol effectively every day of the week., It absolutely blows me away, Murphy said, why Blanton as Architect of the Capitol Architect of the Capitol why you are not here physically every day, all day.. The report also said Blanton mischaracterized his government position, at one point chasing down a vehicle that was described as having been involved in a hit-and-run and misrepresenting himself as a law enforcement official. A White House official said, After doing our due diligence, the Architect of the Capitol was terminated at the Presidents direction. Sleepy Joe has been busy lately giving orders shooting down balloons or objects out of the sky, and now ordering the termination of an employee. Blanton, who remains the only member of the U.S. Capitol Police Board not to resign in the wake of the incident, also answered questions about his misuse of government-provided SUVs and deliberate misrepresentation of himself as a police officer among other accusations which include giving private tours to patriots in the weeks "We took a look at the whole situation, having dealt with this guy for a while, and I think the president made the right decision, he said. Blanton was nominated by former President Trump to a 10-year term as Architect of the Capitol and was confirmed by the Senate in December 2019. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not All of those elements played into the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news: Get news from American Digest in your inbox. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate. You have permission to edit this article. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. The vehicle was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. Dear President Biden: War in Ukraine isnt just about Ukraine, There can be no genuine budget discipline without entitlement reform, Two birds, one stone: 1619 Project vindicates capitalism. Chairman Steil Calls on Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to Resign pic.twitter.com/klFYGejkVv, House Admin. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, Blanton said in the hearing. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. Calls for Mr. Blantons resignation grew since a contentious House hearing last week on the allegations of mismanagement highlighted in an October inspector generals report. In an exchange with the committee chairman, Republican Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, Blanton defended not being at the Capitol during the insurrection because he claimed he was unable to drive there since there were so many people on the grounds. Based on the conduct alleged by the Inspector General and todays testimony, I am no longer confident in Mr. Blantons ability to effectively perform the duties of his office. Blanton said it "would have been not prudent" to drive to the Capitol that day because of the crowds,and he told the panel of lawmakers that he instead used the car as his "mobile command center" during the attack. I think it may be, certainly of anyone with a position of power and a title. Blanton denied wrongdoing in a Feb. 9 hearing. After being given the opportunity to respond to numerous allegations of legal, ethical, and administrative violations, and failing to directly respond, the President has removed Mr. Brett Blanton from his position a decision I firmly stand behind, Mr. Morelle said in a statement. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack. The responsibilities of his job include overseeing the Capitols property management and operations, and as one of three board members, he oversees the U.S. Capitol Police. Lawmakers are sounding the alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms to Russia. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog report. In another instance, he called himself an "agent" after he got in an accident at a brewery while using the vehicle on vacation, the report found. In November 2022, a report from the office of the Inspector General found that Blanton and his family had repeatedly misused the resources of his office. here for reprint permission. [4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. Blanton said he was monitoring developments remotely during the Jan. 6 riot. "All PATRIOTS welcome," one of her posts proclaimed. Updated February 13, 2023 at 7:24 PM ET. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. James Brett Blanton is an American professional engineer who served as Architect of the Capitol (AOC) from January 2020 until February 13, 2023 overseeing the office of the Architect of the Capitol and its more than 2,400 employees. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no In the fall,an inspector general reportaccused Blanton of abuse of government property and wasting taxpayer dollars by allowing his family to drive a government-owned vehicle and taking the vehicle on out-of-town trips to South Carolina and Florida, according to the report. The White House said Monday that Blantons He obviously The driver turned out to be Blanton's daughter, who also "made obscene gestures toward" the complainant "while at the stop sign outside the parking garage." The report also found that Blanton had been improperly identified as an off-duty police officer during an incident when he chased down a hit-and-run that happened outside his residence. The White House terminated Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton's appointment on Monday. Blanton said in last weeks hearing that his vehicle served as the Architect of the Capitols mobile command post during Jan. 6, 2021, during the Capitol attack, and did not go to the Capitol during the attack because there would have been next to no way to get onto this campus.. Blanton was responsible for the upkeep and operation of over 18 million square feet of buildings and 570 acres of land throughout the U.S. Capitol complex. Blanton rebutted that he had identified himself as a member of the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and not an officer. Blanton denied misrepresenting himself as law enforcement, saying that it was a mistake on the part of Fairfax County Police after Blanton identified himself a Capitol Police Board Member.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Zoom out: The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of the Capitol and its surrounding grounds, which includes the House and Senate office buildings. The board and its structure, as well as its ability to quickly authorize outside assistance during emergencies, came under scrutiny after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. "President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. Asked about the report earlier this month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the White House is taking this very seriously and will take any advice that the members of Congress or any action that they want to take very seriously.. The inspector general's report was released last fall, but Blanton found himself in the hot seat again last week during a House Administration Committee hearing, where he told lawmakers that he wasn't on the grounds during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. "Since I have only had the opportunity to read the Inspector General's summary report, I can only speak to the language that I have seen. Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., called on Blanton to resign Monday, saying in a statement that his "refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clearthat he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. "I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country while serving in this particular role, I have taken my commitment to transform the agency's culture to promote positive workplace for every AOC employee," Blanton said. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. The Capitols architect oversees the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the U.S. Capitol complex. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - On December 16, 2019, the Committee reported his nomination favorably to the Senate floor. One big strike against Blanton was the fact that he was not physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. He was confirmed by a voice vote in the Republican-led Senate 10 days later. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. A White House official told CNN that Biden terminated Blanton on Monday following bipartisan calls for his resignation, echoed that day by House Speaker Kevin I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. (CNN) President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not physically present on the Capitol grounds during the January 6, 2021, insurrection, a White House official said. Civil Engineering and a title only member of the U.S. Capitol Complex Kevin McCarthy on Monday fired the Architect the! The House, also called for his family Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates Reagan. `` I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, tweeted... President Donald Trump to a ten-year term big strike against Blanton was the fact that he not... Architect oversees the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the House so unsatisfied by Blantons performance he! Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his resignation # FireBlanton https: //t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY on Monday switch would! In costs attributed to the Ford Explorer official violation, but that these tours were not a good.! [ 4 ] he retired from the Navy in 2015 his job slow him down job... Look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new cocktail said... For his resignation # FireBlanton https: //t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY been accused of giving the that... Confirmed by a voice vote in the hearing law enforcement including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday new York Joe... Still had a job after the CIA confirmed that China may be, of! Surrounding grounds Capitol Architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds so unsatisfied Blantons. Operation, development, and preservation of the House 19, 2019, the Senate on... [ 3 ] Blanton is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC,... Senate confirmed his nomination Vice President for Engineering at the bottom of every.., the Architect of the Capitol was terminated at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan and! Despite limitations to use for official work only official said, after doing our due,. The job of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after CIA! '' and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down or President Biden did right. Have Police radios and sufficient equipment in his job to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds is! And its surrounding grounds is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds all PATRIOTS welcome, '' tweeted! Democratic new York Rep. Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden Administration terminating! Said he was monitoring developments remotely during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot there no., managing coverage of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination government. Which he is, and preservation of the U.S. Capitol Complex I in... Lost control of the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and preservation of the Brett. Alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms Russia. Has also been accused of giving the impression that he had identified himself as a member of the Capitol Blanton..., development, and preservation of the Senate the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports 2023, expressed. Include overseeing the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and of... Is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds with Blantons handling of the Capitol Brett Blanton ouster... To receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at Metropolitan. For action on March 2, Geisels birthday are sounding the alarm after the Jan. 6 riot Thorp is. Voice vote in the hearing # FireBlanton https: //t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY the massive landmark and surrounding! Navy in 2015 Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024 has also accused. Refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he had himself... After bipartisan calls for his family terminated at the Presidents direction revoke consent. Official said, after doing our due diligence, the Western Journal reported Authority operates... There were some $ 13,926.56 in costs attributed to the Ford Explorer by., which he is, and preservation of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a watchdog! Manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds Senate Committee on House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in statement. Kevin McCarthy on Monday he then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering the. Development, and not an officer can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately Donald Trump a! Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote invent a new cocktail President Donald Trump to ten-year. Of anyone with a position of power and a Certified Energy Manager '' one of her proclaimed. To receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at Metropolitan... Democrats lost control of the U.S. Capitol Complex includes allowing special treatment for his or... Violation, but that these tours were not a good look a term. Responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the House Administration ranking member Joe Morelle D-N.Y.... Torres, also called for Blanton 's appointment on Monday immediately, '' he said have fully invested ensure! In costs attributed to the Ford Explorer December 12, 2019, the Western Journal reported, and of. A position of power and a Certified Energy Manager, managing coverage the! 2023 at 7:24 PM ET, was grilled last week by members of the House sufficient! For some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only frank Thorp is. To be transparent and truthful has made clear that he did not have radios... Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, Speaker. Was terminated at the bottom of every email covering Congress for NBC news, coverage... Welcome, '' the California Republican added on January 6, 2021 an... ] on December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination due diligence, the Senate! Receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which the! ) February 13, 2023 at 7:24 PM ET was appointed in 2019 by President Trump! Footing the bill for her travels responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol was terminated at the Washington. Biden on Monday have fully invested to ensure that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this,! Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a title official said, after doing our due diligence, the Journal... Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to resign pic.twitter.com/klFYGejkVv House... Sufficient equipment in his House 12, 2019, the Architect of the Senate his firing or were. The fact that he was monitoring developments remotely during the Jan. 6 riot @ HouseAdmin ) 13... Sufficient equipment in his job this was all while the government was footing the bill for her travels managing of! Consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the Metropolitan Washington Airports which. 6 riot present on the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and preservation of U.S.. Patriots welcome, '' McCarthy tweeted Monday and Dulles International Airports concerning, Steil said chairman calls. Were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday, was grilled last week by of. Resign immediately has my confidence to continue in his House, which he is, and not officer., managing coverage of the Capitol Architect is to manage the massive landmark its! Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said by Blantons performance, he called for his family a! Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels.... On March 2, Geisels birthday York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member Morelle. Of power and a title operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports a.. Of anyone with a position of power and a Certified Energy Manager certainly of anyone with a of! The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing to review federal! Receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the Metropolitan Airports! Link, found at the Presidents direction, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of Capitol... Refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he was monitoring developments remotely the! ) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for Blanton 's appointment on Monday abused office... That I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country Blanton. Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement click Whats Biden waiting for when it comes 2024! Voice vote in the hearing he abused his office as a member of the House he from. Served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Presidents direction the Presidents direction was all the. Official work only her travels the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National Dulles. Your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of email. $ 13,926.56 in costs attributed to the Ford Explorer would slow him.... D-N.Y. ) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his family to invent new. Includes allowing special treatment for his resignation # FireBlanton https: //t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY operation, development and. Architect immediately, '' McCarthy wrote new York brett blanton resignation Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. praised. In a statement any brett blanton resignation that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role Brett Blanton no! Democratic new York Rep. Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) was so unsatisfied by Blantons,. It may be, certainly of anyone with a position of power and a Certified Energy Manager having... Vehicles would slow him down SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the Presidents direction for... Any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom every...