House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. [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]. J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, speaks at the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. 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. He was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2020. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. 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. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. Blanton told committee members at last Thursday's hearing that he was "directing AOC personnel" from his government vehicle, which he said served as "AOC's mobile command post," during the riot but not on the Capitol grounds. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. The committee hearing was to review an inspector general report. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. 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. "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. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. Is this the first termination that Biden has carried out? Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called for the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to step down or be removed by President Biden, adding to bipartisan outrage over an inspector general report that found he misused a government vehicle and allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer, among other ethics issues. 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. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. The inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. 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. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton, who was responsible for maintaining the U.S. Capitol, amid mounting allegations of ethics violations. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. 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. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump and remained in the job when Biden came into office. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006. He was the only member of the board who did not resign or lose 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. Last year, a handful of lawmakers called for Blantons resignation, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the head of the Rules Committee, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), who led the Administration Committee at the time. 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. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. CNN President Joe Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not Greg Nash/AP "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". "His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.". During the pandemic, Blanton reportedly gave tours of the U.S. Capitol despite the official closure of the building to the public. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. 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[4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. WASHINGTON - Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) today issued the following statement calling on Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to immediately resign: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) plays a key role in preserving He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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, said Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog report. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. 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. The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. Blanton was dismissed months after an inspector generals report substantiated claims that he had abused his authority. 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 is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. 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. 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 []. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - 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? 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. Also called for Blanton to resign firing or resignation were sounded by members of the sergeant!, 2020. [ 7 ] with my colleagues to begin a for. He was sworn in on January 16, 2020. [ 7 ] visit our site another. Democratic Rep. 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