The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. In Thursday's hearing, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle jumped on learning that Blanton was not physically present on Capitol grounds on the day of the insurrection, January 6, 2021. Flip. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone?," Morelle asked Blanton. All of those elements played into the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News. On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden terminated Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol.[2]. 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 According to the report, Blanton repeatedly misused his government-issued vehicle, misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer, and led private tours of the Capitol. Why? One big strike against Blanton was the fact that he was not physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. The White House said Monday that Blantons The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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. 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. 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. 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. Updated February 13, 2023 at 7:24 PM ET. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no "The Inspector General's report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. Blanton defended his absence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, because, he said, there were too many people on the grounds. He was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2020. Mr. Blanton was accused in the report of misrepresenting himself as a law enforcement officer, leading banned tours of the Capitol and misusing his government-issued vehicle. Blanton denied misrepresenting himself as law enforcement, saying that it was a mistake on the part of Fairfax County Police after Blanton identified himself a Capitol Police Board Member.. CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told NBC News, I agree with the presidents decision to fire the architect.". "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. Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his resignation #FireBlanton https://t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. (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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. U.S. Capitol Architect, Brett Blanton, remains under scrutiny after an intense House of Administration hearing, last Thursday. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. 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. Greg Nash/AP We publish the objective news, period. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. 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.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. He was confirmed by a voice vote in the Republican-led Senate 10 days later. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. [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. - 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. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. 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 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. hide caption. Morelle also pressed him about why he didn't use the car to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6, the "greatest emergency the Capitol has faced in the last two centuries.". House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday called on Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton to resign after damaging inspector general report last fall. In the fall, an inspector general report accused 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. Blanton was appointed in 2019 by President Donald Trump to a ten-year term. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money. Blanton could be removed only by the president because the architect of the Capitol is a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate. R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. 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. 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. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. 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. 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. An inspector generalreportreleased in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the Capitol vehicles intended for home-to-work use as personal vehicles, resulting in nearly $14,000 worth of inappropriate costs. President Joe Biden has fired embattled Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, who oversees the historic building that houses Congress and its expansive grounds, as pressure mounted for his removal following a scathing inspector general report of personal and management lapses. Blanton was three years into a 10-year-long term. 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Marjorie Taylor Greene: Isnt she, Fight in high school classroom leaves one dead, one, School culture wars fuel top House GOP bill, Product safety commission requests information on, House Democrats gather to chart path toward 2024. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. (RELATED: Capitol Police Downplayed Intelligence From Security Firm Warning Of Capitol Riot). 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 "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. "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. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. 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. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R The Architect was not on-site during the riot, but worked out of his government car. Blanton also stated that on January 6 he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol's mobile command post. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined Morelle in demanding Blantons ouster on Monday, making the calls bipartisan. 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 Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican heading the committee, asked if Blanton had impersonated a law enforcement officer, as alleged in the report. 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 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. 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 reportedly allowed the vehicle to be operated by his adult daughter and his wife against regulations while the American taxpayers footed the bill. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. Previous:McCarthy calls on the Architect of the Capitol to resign after damaging IG report. 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. Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-N.C.) took issue with the Architect of the Capitols office having a telework policy, though Blanton said he is now going to the Capitol effectively every day of the week., It absolutely blows me away, Murphy said, why Blanton as Architect of the Capitol Architect of the Capitol why you are not here physically every day, all day.. Blanton said it "would have been not prudent" to drive to the Capitol that day because of the crowds,and he told the panel of lawmakers that he instead used the car as his "mobile command center" during the attack. 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. 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. Shortly after McCarthys tweet, Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), the chairman of the House Administration Committee, joined calls for Blanton's resignation. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION. The House Republicans' Twitter account on Friday requested Biden to remove Blanton immediately. Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the US Capitol Police Board. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. The Biden administration on Monday "terminated" the Architect of the Capitol, the White House confirmed. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. 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. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, has been terminated, the White House said. 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. 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. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle jumped on that. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. 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. The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, called for Blantons resignation after he engaged in an exchange with him. His responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol's property management and operations. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog report. 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. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. 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.