"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. [4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, speaks at the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. 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 Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday. "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. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - 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. "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. Is this the first termination that Biden has carried out? "His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.". On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. [5], President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Blanton defended his absence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, because, he said, there were too many people on the grounds. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. "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. "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. 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. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds and wasting taxpayer money. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau. 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. The White House terminated Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton's appointment on Monday. In his opening statement he had noted that the AOC vehicle is to allow the architect to support the Capitol in a remote capacity, and that "it is inaccurate to characterize the state of the vehicle is only for home to work purposes.". 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. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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. He was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2020. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. In November 2022, a report from the office of the Inspector General found that Blanton and his family had repeatedly misused the resources of his office. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, the speaker tweeted Monday. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. The pandemic popped San Francisco's progressive bubble, The cost of the Federal Reserve's 'full employment': Migrant child labor, Lori Lightfoot's next dancing TikTok video should be to "Bye Bye Bye", TikTok restricts teenager screen time as it faces threat of national ban, Lightfoot is out: Chicago mayor out four years after breaking onto scene as rising star, Republicans could force Bidens first veto with fights over ESG and DC crime law, Protesters thrown out of House China committee's first prime-time hearing. The committee hearing was to review an inspector general report. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go. Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. 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.". You can see things didnt go well for Blanton. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers. Blanton denied any ethical violations during the hearing on Thursday. Click CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. 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. The inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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. Previous:McCarthy calls on the Architect of the Capitol to resign after damaging IG report. 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. 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 in 2019 by President Donald Trump to a ten-year term. R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. 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. "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. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. Lawmakers are sounding the alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms to Russia. No Architect has ever been removed by Congress, but the Senate is considering legislation that would clarify that the position is subject to impeachment. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "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. 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. Whats Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024? By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: American Digest, 3000 S. Hulen Street, Ste 124 #1064, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, US, https://americandigest.com. Ranking Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle of New York questioned why he remained in the mobile command center. 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? Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. 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 []. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, has been terminated, the White House said. Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his resignation #FireBlanton https://t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. Meanwhile, the inspector general's report said Blanton's adult child called it "free gas" for her. I think it may be, certainly of anyone with a position of power and a title. Steil also called for Blanton to resign 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]. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy wrote. We publish the objective news, period. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. 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. 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