"Blanton told the other party involved that it was a government vehicle, he was an 'agent' and he did not have insurance information because the government would handle the insurance claim," according to the report. CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. 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. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. 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's incompetency is a danger to his office, and I join @RepJoeMorelle to call for his immediate resignation," Torres tweeted. Architect of the U.S. Capitol Brett Blanton testifies before the House Administration Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on February 9. 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. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006. 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. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. Committee members characterized his performance as evasive, and Morelle responded by calling for his resignation. 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. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. The Blanton familys use of agency vehicles added up to at least $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. "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. He came under fire after an inspector general report found 'administrative, ethical, and policy violations'. Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not Morelle and ranking member Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) on the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight each called on Blanton to step down Thursday after the hearing. "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. Blanton maintained at last weeks hearing that he needed to take the car with him on personal errands and vacations in case he needed to return to the Capitol or respond to an emergency, because it was equipped with certain communications devices. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. Flip. Blanton was I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some 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. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. He was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2020. The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. Is this the first termination that Biden has carried out? The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds and wasting taxpayer money. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. Democratic lawmakers are calling for the resignation of J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, over a scathing federal watchdog report that found he abused his The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, called for Blantons resignation after he engaged in an exchange with him. Click In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. 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. 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. 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He was the only member of the board who did not resign or lose ", 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.. An inspector general report released in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, the speaker tweeted Monday. "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. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. Blanton was appointed to the role by former President Donald Trump in 2019. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars. He said he was using his official vehicle at the mobile command post. "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. Meanwhile, the inspector general's report said Blanton's adult child called it "free gas" for her. 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 big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, Committee members characterized his performance as evasive, and Morelle responded by calling for his resignation. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. 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. An investigation conducted by the Architect of the Capitol Inspector General's Office found Blanton had "abused his authority, misused government property and wasted taxpayer money, among other substantiated violations.". Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. 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. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday. He wasnt able to drive there. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. The House Republicans' Twitter account on Friday requested Biden to remove Blanton immediately. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol among bipartisan calls for his resignation. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. 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. Did You Ever Wonder How and Why the Left Is Able to Push Their Narratives Almost Unhindered? Calls for Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blantons ouster or resignation are getting louder in the wake of a fiery House Administration hearing earlier this week. Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican heading the committee, asked if Blanton had impersonated a law enforcement officer, as alleged in the report. 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. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the 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? "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. 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. Chairman Steil Calls on Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to Resign pic.twitter.com/klFYGejkVv, House Admin. 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 board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. 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. After all this, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) called for Blanton's resignation. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. 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. 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