I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. The inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. Other members, including the ranking Democrat, Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, jumped on the admission by Blanton to question why he remained in the "mobile command center.". 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. This was all while the government was footing the bill for her travels. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. You have permission to edit this article. ", 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.. I am outraged to hear that you were be in a comfortable place, sir, while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) said during the hearing, saying that a police officer could not close or lock a door because he did not have the keys. 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. "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Blanton denied any ethical violations during the hearing on Thursday. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money. It said he committed "administrative, ethical and policy violations," including misuse of a government-issued vehicle and falsely giving the impression that he was a member of law enforcement. Blanton was appointed to the role by former President Donald Trump in 2019. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. Updated February 13, 2023 at 7:24 PM ET. However, a report from the Office of the Inspector General uncovered several troubling things about Blanton that have led to calls for President Joe Biden to remove him. He obviously The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the [Architect of the Capitol]. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisc. 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 nominated to a 10-year term by former President Donald Trump; he started the job in January 2020. Chairman Steil Calls on Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to Resign pic.twitter.com/klFYGejkVv, House Admin. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Im outraged that you would be in a comfortable place, sir, while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, Democratic California Rep. Norma Torres said at the hearing. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. When asked if he had used a government vehicle for personal use, Blanton said that he wouldn't characterize his use of the vehicle as personal. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he said. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. [1], Blanton was terminated from his position after an inspector general's report found "administrative, ethical and policy violations" by Blanton, including allegations that he misused his government vehicle and misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official.[2]. 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. The Architect of the Capitol is one of three members of the board that oversees the Capitol Police, along with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone?," Morelle asked Blanton. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, and sits on the Capitol Police Board. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. Last week, he was pressed about those findings and other issues, such as his absence from the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, as he was testifying before the House Administration Committee. In a statement Monday, Morelle praised Biden for doing "the right thing" by dismissing Blanton. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. The AOC IG report also details a minor accident involving Blanton at a Virginia brewery involving another driver who backed into the government SUV while it was improperly parked. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Click Blanton could be removed only by the president because the architect of the Capitol is a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate. McCarthy joins House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) and ranking member Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) in calling for the resignation of the Architect of the Capitol, who oversees the Capitol complexs building maintenance, preservation and development. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. ", "I wholeheartedly reject any assertation that I've engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country," Blanton said. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. The result was mixed, Majority of voters, plurality of Democrats say Biden is too old to run again, *Gulp* Finland is building a wall on Russia's border, Maher on CNN: If its Biden against Trump, Biden will win thats a good bet", George Santos' CNN Response Is a Master Troll Move, Biden owns border critics with chuckling reminder this mom's sons died of fentanyl overdoses in 2020, Shock Report: FBI Agents Did Not Want to Raid Mar-a-Lago. At the hearing, Blanton said he was frustrated by the current distraction created by the inspector generals report.. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. "We take the IG report seriously and the request from members of Congress seriously as well and are evaluating next steps," she said. WaPo: FBI resisted Mar-a-Lago raid, DoJ prosecutors demanded it. The committee hearing was to review an inspector general report. 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. 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.". The backdrop: The report found that Blanton serially misused government-issued vehicles for personal trips, and falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer. A White House official confirmed the decision, telling Axios: [A]fter doing our due diligence, the Architect of Capitol was terminated at the president's direction.. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton was fired by President Biden Monday for a series of ethical violations, including his not being present on the grounds during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Blanton was dismissed months after an inspector generals report substantiated claims that he had abused his authority. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. The committees top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of New York, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. The report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements lacking evidence.. Blanton said in the hearing that he used the vehicle during an out-of-state family vacation because he was under the impression that I had to use that vehicle so he could have quick communication with the Capitol Police Board in case of any emergency. NPR's Scott Detrow contributed to this report. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump and remained in the job when Biden came into office. Never use the company vehicle for personal business. Still no explanation [], The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesdays briefing on on the classified materials seized at President Bidens home and office and former President Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate left much to be desired. The Gang of Eight, the top four leaders in Congress and the chairmen and vice chairmen of the Senate []. He was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2020. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. Blanton rebutted that he had identified himself as a member of the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and not an officer. By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: American Digest, 3000 S. Hulen Street, Ste 124 #1064, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, US, https://americandigest.com. [8] Multiple instances of the Blanton family misusing government cars for personal use were documented in the report, which also documented how Blanton's wife gave unauthorized tours of the U.S. Capitol and that Blanton misrepresented himself as a police officer. On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden terminated Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol.[2]. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), the ranking member on the House Administration Committee, welcomed Blanton's ouster. Why a DC crime bill is creating big problems for, EPA proposal expected to expand sales of high-ethanol, House Republicans open investigation into role of, US intelligence: No evidence foreign adversaries, What to know about OKs recreational marijuana question, Oklahoma prepares for rec. He wasnt able to drive there. Biden ousted Brett Blanton, the previous capitol architect, earlier this month after an inspector generals report found that he misused his authority. He was confirmed by a voice vote in the Republican-led Senate 10 days later. Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton was fired by President Biden Monday for a series of ethical violations, including his not being present on the grounds during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the US Capitol Police Board. 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