Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) "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. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. 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. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. 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. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news: Get news from American Digest in your inbox. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told NBC News, I agree with the presidents decision to fire the architect.". 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. 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. 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 Blantons refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the agency and must resign immediately, House Administration Committee chairman Bryan Steil added. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. - 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. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday. One big strike against Blanton was the fact that he was not physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. He added that the Architect of the Capitol's "refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.". Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he said. He should resign or President Biden should remove him 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. WaPo: FBI resisted Mar-a-Lago raid, DoJ prosecutors demanded it. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. He noted that the vehicle has a Capitol Police Department radio that he used to get real-time information to make leadership decisions during the riot. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Is this the first termination that Biden has carried out? "As Ranking Member of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, I found Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton's answers at today's hearing appalling. 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. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. 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"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. The vehicle was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. The Architect was not on-site during the riot, but worked out of his government car. R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. In a statement Monday, Morelle praised Biden for doing "the right thing" by dismissing Blanton. Action-backed rhetoric fuels uncandidate DeSantis' launch strategy, I asked ChatGPT to invent a new cocktail. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, "PN1324 - Nomination of J. Brett Blanton for Congress of the United States, 116th Congress (2019-2020)", "Biden Fires Architect Of The Capitol Over Alleged Abuse Of Power", "Airport engineer nominated to be next Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.", "J. Brett Blanton Nominated as Architect of the Capitol", "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individuals to Key Administration Posts", 2021-0011-INVI-P J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations, Federal watchdog accuses Architect of the Capitol of ethics violations over offer to give patriots tours, "J. Brett Blanton on track to become next architect of the Capitol", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brett_Blanton&oldid=1139250130, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 04:19. 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. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". 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. "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". He was confirmed by a voice vote in the Republican-led Senate 10 days later. Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate. Outrageous that you were not here.. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Members of Congress rejected his testimony, with several calling for him to resign. 2023 - The American Digest - All Rights Reserved, Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton fired by Joe Biden after Kevin McCarthy demanded resignation, Watchdog group finds Capitol Police and FBI ignored "credible threats" prior to Jan. 6th riot at the Capitol, Elizabeth Warren's CFPB to have fate determined by Supreme Court, Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces resignation from the Biden administration, Up to 14 million will lose Medicaid coverage over next 12 months, After leaving the GOP,87-year-old New Jersey state senator abandons his reelection bid, Ted Cruz says Dr. Fauci will be responsible for future pandemic deaths, Don Lemon removed from key hosting role by CNN after Haley remarks. 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. 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. President Joe Biden removed Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton from his post days after House lawmakers grilled him about his reported misuse of government resources. 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 committees top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of New York, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down. The Capitols architect oversees the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the U.S. Capitol complex. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog report. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. You have permission to edit this article. Blanton reportedly allowed the vehicle to be operated by his adult daughter and his wife against regulations while the American taxpayers footed the bill. 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 previously called for Blanton to be terminated. 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. U.S. Capitol Architect, Brett Blanton, remains under scrutiny after an intense House of Administration hearing, last Thursday. He came under fire after an inspector general report found 'administrative, ethical, and policy violations'. IE 11 is not supported. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. Lawmakers are sounding the alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms to Russia. I think it may be, certainly of anyone with a position of power and a title. Eli Lilly caps insulin costs at $35 per month, Shooting survivors American Idol tryout draws, Starbucks olive oil drinks a curiosity in Italy, Mansion shown on fire in listing pics gets new owner, Trooper rescues, adopts injured kitten on highway, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, called for Blantons resignation after he engaged in an exchange with him. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. Blanton was Blanton was three years into a 10-year-long term. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. He said he was using his official vehicle at the mobile command post. You can see things didnt go well for Blanton. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. All of those elements played into the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. 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. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. 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 The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. He was nominated by Trump on Dec. 9, 2019. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. Chairman Steil Calls on Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to Resign pic.twitter.com/klFYGejkVv, House Admin. Blanton was nominated to a 10-year term by former President Donald Trump; he started the job in January 2020. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. here for reprint permission. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. Mr. Blanton's incompetency is a danger to his office, and I join @RepJoeMorelle to call for his immediate resignation," Torres tweeted. "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. 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. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. 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. The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. "If I'm at Home Depot and something happens, there would be a delayed response getting to the Capitol," Blanton told lawmakers. 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 should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday. 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