Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. All of those elements played into the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately, Mr. Steil said in a statement. Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau. Blanton defended his absence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, because, he said, there were too many people on the grounds. Based on the conduct alleged by the Inspector General and todays testimony, I am no longer confident in Mr. Blantons ability to effectively perform the duties of his office. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. "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. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. 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. 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. ", 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.. 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. At the hearing, Blanton said he was frustrated by the current distraction created by the inspector generals report.. Monday, February 13, 2023, The Front Page Podcast: Pumping the Brakes, NEW: Its not polite to pretend boys can be girls, SCOTUS takes on Bidens student debt agenda, Click Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, and sits on the Capitol Police Board. 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. "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 inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. 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. In a statement Monday, Morelle praised Biden for doing "the right thing" by dismissing Blanton. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump and remained in the job when Biden came into office. Did You Ever Wonder How and Why the Left Is Able to Push Their Narratives Almost Unhindered? 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, Mr. Morelle said in a statement. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. 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.. "The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning," Steil said. 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. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars. Blanton reportedly allowed the vehicle to be operated by his adult daughter and his wife against regulations while the American taxpayers footed the bill. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. 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. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy tweeted. 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. 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. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. The office of the architect did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisc. "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 agency's culture to promote positive workplace for every AOC employee," Blanton said. "If I'm at Home Depot and something happens, there would be a delayed response getting to the Capitol," Blanton told lawmakers. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Flip. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. U.S. Capitol Architect, Brett Blanton, remains under scrutiny after an intense House of Administration hearing, last Thursday. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. 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. 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. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - 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 Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. All Rights Reserved. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. 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. House lawmakers grilled Blanton over the report in a House Administrationhearinglast week, where Blanton pushed back on the 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. Mr. Blanton's incompetency is a danger to his office, and I join @RepJoeMorelle to call for his immediate resignation," Torres tweeted. He obviously 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. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. 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. The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the impact of climate change and sea level rise on coastal communities as lawmakers reach an impasse on addressing the problem. The inspector general found that Blanton's wife made "multiple social media posts" about the tours. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. 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. "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. 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. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. "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. "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Previous:McCarthy calls on the Architect of the Capitol to resign after damaging IG report. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. 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.. J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, speaks at the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he 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. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. Biden "terminated" Blanton amid bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier on Monday, the official said. 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. After doing our due diligence, the Architect of [the] Capitol was terminated at the Presidents direction, the official said in a statement. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. 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. Following the reports release, six Democrats who chair committees that oversee the AOC called for Blantons removal, explaining that, Based on the Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. An inspector general report released in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. 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. Twitter reversed the suspension of Sen. Mike Lees (R-Utah) personal account on Wednesday afternoon, hours after it was locked for unknown reasons. Lee appeared to regain access to his @BasedMikeLee account around 2:30 p.m., when users were able to see his Tweets once again. Thanks to all who assisted in operation #Free@basedMikeLee. He came under fire after an inspector general report found 'administrative, ethical, and policy violations'. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. 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," the California Republican added. 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. [4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. Blanton was Ranking Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle of New York questioned why he remained in the mobile command center. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Outrageous that you were not here.. 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. 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. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, the speaker tweeted Monday. President Biden on Monday fired the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton after a report alleged he abused his office. Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News. Another incident involving the official vehicle occurred in 2020 when Blanton allegedly chased down a vehicle "involved in a hit-and-run incident that took place in front of his residence" using the SUV. "His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.". Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the US Capitol Police Board. 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 He was nominated by Trump on Dec. 9, 2019. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone?," Morelle asked Blanton. 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 I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. The investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton's daughter recklessly driving an AOC Ford Explorer at a Walmart in Tyson's Corner. Blanton was dismissed months after an inspector generals report substantiated claims that he had abused his authority. 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. (RELATED: Capitol Police Downplayed Intelligence From Security Firm Warning Of Capitol Riot). The vehicle was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only. Never use the company vehicle for personal business. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. 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. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. No Architect has ever been removed by Congress, but the Senate is considering legislation that would clarify that the position is subject to impeachment. 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. Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years. 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. 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 He wasnt able to drive there. "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. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog 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. "President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. 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.". Members of Congress rejected his testimony, with several calling for him to resign. 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 denied wrongdoing in a Feb. 9 hearing. I will say that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence.". He was the only member of the board who did not resign or lose Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, called for Blantons resignation after he engaged in an exchange with him. R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the [Architect of the Capitol]. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately," said Steil. Im outraged that you would 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, Democratic California Rep. Norma Torres said at the hearing. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. 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. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Blantons dismissal came just hours after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he had lost confidence in Blanton and He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. 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. 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. The Architect was not on-site during the riot, but worked out of his government car. IE 11 is not supported. Blanton also stated that on January 6 he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol's mobile command post. One big strike against Blanton was the fact that he was not physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. 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. 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. 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.". ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined Morelle in demanding Blantons ouster on Monday, making the calls bipartisan. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. 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. 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. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday. [5], President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. During the pandemic, Blanton reportedly gave tours of the U.S. Capitol despite the official closure of the building to the public.

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