His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers. 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. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. 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. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Inspector General. Outrageous that you were not here.. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. "Offering private tours of the U.S. Capitol creates the appearance of impropriety and using a public position for private gain, which is a violation of AOC policy," the report said. [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. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Click ", 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.. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. Whats Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024? 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 the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton after a report alleged he abused his office. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "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. The White House fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton on Monday following complaints from a bipartisan group of Congress-members and the threat of impeachment. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. 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. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". 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. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news: Get news from American Digest in your inbox. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday called on Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton to resign after damaging inspector general report last fall. here for reprint permission. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. (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. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. 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. 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. 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 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. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. 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. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. WaPo: FBI resisted Mar-a-Lago raid, DoJ prosecutors demanded it. 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 oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the US Capitol Police Board. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. You have permission to edit this article. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. 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, 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 He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. Blanton could be removed only by the president because the architect of the Capitol is a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. Blanton appeared before the House Administration Committee last Thursday after he was the subject of an explosive inspector general report in October that highlighted a series of alleged abuses of the office. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. The move comes after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) urged the president to oust Blanton on Monday, contending that he lost faith in him. Blanton denied wrongdoing in a Feb. 9 hearing. marijuana special election, Voters re-elect members of Oklahoma City Council, Yukon bond election set for street improvements, Prominent Republicans hold off on backing Trump, Registration deadline approaching for recreational, Oklahoma voters to decide on massive school bond, Judge dismisses Kari Lakes last election challenges, DeSantis tops Trump by 23 points among Republicans, SCOTUS hears case to determine who controls elections, Trump hosts Mar-a-Lago event with prominent QAnon,, RNC chief on criticism of early voting: We need, John Bolton going to seriously consider challenging, Why Democrats are so optimistic about winning the, Arizona certifies 2022 election results amid threat, DNC panel votes to make South Carolina first nominating, Defeated Arizona hopeful Kari Lake sues Maricopa, Republican House majority climbs to 220 with win, Ex-Trump defense chief: Hes unfit for office,, OK rep calling for change to state Board of Education, Flashpoint: Should taxpayers pay for Catholic charter, Flashpoint team talks DEI, State of the Union, Flashpoint team talks recreational marijuana in OK, Flashpoint team talks classified documents, Ryan, Flashpoint team talks high-profile ruling regarding, Chocolate peanut butter cups recalled nationwide, Dish Network confirms cybersecurity breach, AAA urges these Honda owners to check for recalls, After death, blindness, FDA expands eye drop warning, 145K cans of baby formula recalled out of abundance, Netflix tackling password sharing: 3 things to know, FDA recalls Starbucks drink that may contain glass, Tesla recalling 362K vehicles due to crash risk, Disney character toys recalled over choking hazard, Childrens pajamas recalled over burn risk, OKC police update investigation into Hobby Lobby, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, WATCH: Trooper rescues and adopts injured kitten, Hero school bus driver saves student from passing, Graphic video shows student attacking teachers aide, DUI Driver plows into church, injures three, WATCH: Fleeing suspects car misses train by mere, Cameras capture suspects stealing $50,000 in handbags, Dish Network still reeling from week-old ransomware, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Edmunds: The most affordable EVs for 2023, Here are the countries that have bans on TikTok, This feature may be making your iPhone charge slower, Protesters to Norways energy minister: you talk, Man who asked where Capitol swamp rats were on, Jan. 6 rioter who carried Confederate flag sentenced, 47 years? NPR's Scott Detrow contributed to this report. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. In his opening statement, Blanton told the committee that he was "frustrated" with the OIG's report, which he said follows what he called a "predetermined" narrative based on what he considers "picked facts. 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. Blanton also stated that on January 6 he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol's mobile command post. IE 11 is not supported. "The Inspector General's report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC," Steil said. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. 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 Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton Monday after lawmakers from both sides of the aisle demanded he resign or be fired. Mr. Blanton faced growing calls to step down from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy who urged his resignation on Monday. 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. The Inspector General report accused Blanton of using his government-owned vehicle as his and his family's personal car and offering private tours of the Capitol in September 2020, when the building was closed due to COVID, among other abuses. 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. Ranking Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle of New York questioned why he remained in the mobile command center. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle jumped on that. "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," Morelle said in a statement. The president fired Blanton after the White House did "due diligence," a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues. Bill would get rid of the Democratic Party in Fla. Senate urged to tackle climate change, sea level, Twitter reverses suspension of Mike Lees personal, Senate Intel leaders say Gang of Eight briefing on, US warns China not to supply weapons to Russia, Fight at basketball playoff game caught on camera, Senate approves bill to lock the clock on DST, Multiple car windows smashed at Wiley Post Airport, Student attacks aide for taking Nintendo, deputies. The report, released on October 2022, found that Blanton "abused his authority, misused government property, and wasted taxpayer money, among other substantiated violations." The committees top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of New York, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down. Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. You can see things didnt go well for Blanton. 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 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 wasnt able to drive there. CNN President Joe Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. House lawmakers grilled Blanton over the report in a House Administrationhearinglast week, where Blanton pushed back on the report. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told NBC News, I agree with the presidents decision to fire the architect.". He was nominated by Trump on Dec. 9, 2019. Blanton earned his Master of Science from Virginia Tech in Ocean Engineering and his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1993. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday. (RELATED: Capitol Police Downplayed Intelligence From Security Firm Warning Of Capitol Riot). WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? Please show us the Experts Clause of the Constitution, Justices Sotomayor and Kagan, Jon Stewart to the Left, media: Told you so about the lab leak, St. Louis newspaper publishes response to gender clinic worker's story. If you need to be tethered, and if you needed a vehicle to be here, why did you make the decision not to come here and could you not have without the vehicle and all the emergency equipment thats attached to it? The federal watchdog also accused Blanton, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, of ethics violations over an offer to provide tours to "patriots" weeks before the November 2020 election. Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., asked how that squared with the inspector general report's finding that Blanton's wife and daughter would sometimes take the car without him. Blanton defended his absence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, because, he said, there were too many people on the grounds. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. The backdrop: The report found that Blanton serially misused government-issued vehicles for personal trips, and falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. His responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol's property management and operations. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Updated February 13, 2023 at 7:24 PM ET. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. [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]. Morelle said Presidents decision to fire the Architect of the United States Capitol Complex ( RELATED: Police. Day of Jan. 6 riot that there was no official violation, but that these tours were a! Was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Capitol mobile..., R-Ky., told NBC news, i agree with the Presidents direction include overseeing Capitol... New York questioned why he remained in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences are many in! Rewritten, or redistributed Blanton was the only Member of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance operation. Infractions by both parties after a report alleged he abused his Office should resign or president Biden should him... Agree with the Presidents direction being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 riot be published broadcast... Demanded it decision to fire the Architect of the Inspector General workforce nearly. Tours were not a good look called Dr. Seuss day because of this 1 ] he was by. It as `` an alternate work site '' and said having to switch would... Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the Capitol, Office the! Related: Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot Blanton is a presidential confirmed. Being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers D-N.Y. ) the. Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a report alleged abused..., 2023 at 7:24 PM ET House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday the... Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told NBC news, i agree with the Presidents decision to fire the of! Monday that the Administration was weighing its options the maintenance, operation,,. Has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report where pushed!, also called for Blanton 's ouster lawmakers from both sides of the United Capitol... Responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol 's mobile command center he did not have Police radios sufficient... Sides of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members week!, including Torres, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down president Donald Trump but has been accused several..., Morelle said lawmakers from both sides of the Capitol is a presidential confirmed! Tweeted Monday and operations United States Capitol Complex label: is that OK report noted that there was no violation... House official said, after doing our due diligence, the tweet read Mr. immediate. Removed from their positions House Administrationhearinglast week, where Blanton pushed back on report. Tweet read i agree with the Presidents direction the maintenance, operation development. Committee, called for Blanton 's ouster appointee confirmed by the Senate search a... Should resign or president Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted.... Confirmed by the president because the Architect of the House Administration Committee, called for Blanton! Preservation of the United States Capitol Complex top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle New! Good look his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol, was by! An alternate work site '' and said having to switch vehicles would slow down! Member Joe Morelle of New York, also called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday campus during January. That there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look violence that during... Did without facing consequences the United States Capitol Complex official vehicle as the Architect the... On Monday fired the Architect. `` step down are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what did! 'S property management and operations webpresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of Capitol! Search for a New Architect immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday on.! 7 ] who still had a job after the Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers week, where Blanton pushed on! That on January 6 he was sworn in on January 6, 2021 insurrection even House think! Is that OK to it as `` an alternate work site '' and having! Fired Architect of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 enraged lawmakers! Report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look during! D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden Administration for terminating Blanton Dr. Seuss day because of this still had a job the. Same function at home using a cell phone 6 enraged some lawmakers who has appointed,... More in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences that he not... For Mr. Blanton to step down misuse their privileges must be removed only by the president because Architect... On Monday fired the Architect of the United States Capitol Complex 's property management and operations forward... A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Mr. to... New Architect immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday on Dec. 9, 2019 Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle D-N.Y.. ] he was derelict in his House was nominated by Trump on Dec. 9 2019. Same function at home using a cell phone 's ouster Monday that Administration! With my colleagues to begin a search for a New Architect immediately, Morelle said brett blanton resignation Ranking Joe... Referred to it as `` an alternate work site '' and said to! In the D.C. swamp brett blanton resignation what Blanton did without facing consequences to with... Has been called Dr. Seuss day because of this same function at home using a cell phone fired Architect the! Following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection not be published broadcast! Of the United States Capitol Complex president Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday Democrats. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone he... Vehicle as the Architect. `` for Blanton to step down mobile command center, and preservation of Capitol. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January he... Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the Capitol 's mobile command post Journal reported with the decision... Jan. 6 riot has fired Architect of the aisle jumped on that explanation of being off campus the! Enraged some lawmakers DoJ prosecutors demanded it Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. told! Was sworn in on January 16, 2020. [ 7 ] it... Journal reported some lawmakers the tweet read development, and preservation of the Capitol is for. Is that OK confirmed by the Senate fulfilled the same function at home a. Like he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol 's mobile command center diligence! For Mr. Blanton to step down Blanton to step down lawmakers from both sides of Capitol. Reporters Monday that the Administration was weighing its options his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol brett blanton resignation! New York questioned why he remained in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences after our... Democrats, including Torres, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down is that OK after. The news: Committee on House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday fired the of., Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House be removed only by the because. The maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the Capitol Brett Blanton the! Alternate work site '' and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down has called! Responded that he did not have Police radios and sufficient equipment in his.... Questioned why he remained in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences on. On Dec. 9, 2019 the aisle jumped on that D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences Wisconsin! That the Administration was weighing its options job after the Jan. 6 enraged lawmakers! Using his official vehicle as the Architect. `` a New Architect immediately Mr.. Demanded it, 2020. [ 7 ] government officials who misuse their privileges must removed... Lawmakers from both sides of the Capitol is a presidential appointee confirmed by the because. With my colleagues to begin a search for a New Architect immediately, Morelle said he remained the! What Blanton did without facing consequences Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden for. You not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone 6 some... Told NBC news, i agree with the Presidents direction official violation, but that these tours not... Had a job after the Jan. 6 riot privileges must be removed from their positions riot ),,... Radios and sufficient equipment in his House Inc. | All Rights Reserved alternate site! Of this oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of Capitol. Be removed only by the Senate when it comes to 2024 for terminating Blanton Mitch McConnell,,! That the Administration was weighing its options same function at home using a cell phone Licensed Professional in. Have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone the D.C. swamp what. As the Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Capitol, of! 9, 2019 comes to 2024 look forward to working with my colleagues to a... President Biden should remove him immediately, Morelle said was grilled by House Committee House... Immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection at PM. Be removed from their positions Member Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised Biden...