brett blanton resignation
"He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. The inspector general found that Blanton's wife made "multiple social media posts" about the tours. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R [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]. ", 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.. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. 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.". The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. Blanton was Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. The inspector generals report, released in October, said Blanton had misused his government vehicle by driving it to vacation destinations and allowing his family to use it for personal matters. 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. Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. [4] He retired from the Navy in 2015. Previous:McCarthy calls on the Architect of the Capitol to resign after damaging IG report. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. Mr. Blanton's incompetency is a danger to his office, and I join @RepJoeMorelle to call for his immediate resignation," Torres tweeted. 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. 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. Whats Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024? I wholeheartedly reject any assertion I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he said. 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? 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. Following the reports release, six Democrats who chair committees that oversee the AOC called for Blantons removal, explaining that, Based on the 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. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. "If I'm at Home Depot and something happens, there would be a delayed response getting to the Capitol," Blanton told lawmakers. NBC News has asked Blanton's office for comment. The office of the architect did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 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.". Mica Soellner can be reached at msoellner@washingtontimes.com. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars. We publish the objective news, period. 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Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. "After doing our due diligence, the Architect of Capitol was terminated at the President's direction," the White House official said. Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his resignation #FireBlanton https://t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. IE 11 is not supported. Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. 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. 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. The White House fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton on Monday following complaints from a bipartisan group of Congress-members and the threat of impeachment. 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 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.". He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. Blanton could be removed only by the president because the architect of the Capitol is a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate. When asked if he had used a government vehicle for personal use, Blanton said that he wouldn't characterize his use of the vehicle as personal. Blanton appeared before the House Administration Committee last Thursday after he was the subject of an explosive inspector general report in October that highlighted a series of alleged abuses of the office. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. Biden ousted Brett Blanton, the previous capitol architect, earlier this month after an inspector generals report found that he misused his authority. 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. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. 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.. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. I will say that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence.". Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. 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 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. His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers. 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. One big strike against Blanton was the fact that he was not physically present on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. Republican members on the panel were infuriated when Blanton, who was appointed in 2019 and was in charge of the Capitol's security, cited pandemic work-from-home policies when asked why he was not on site the morning of Jan. 6. 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. "His 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.) President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, speaks at the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. The report also said Blanton mischaracterized his government position, at one point chasing down a vehicle that was described as having been involved in a hit-and-run and misrepresenting himself as a law enforcement official. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately," said Steil. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [5], President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. here for reprint permission. 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 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. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. Blanton said he was monitoring developments remotely during the Jan. 6 riot. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. 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. Did You Ever Wonder How and Why the Left Is Able to Push Their Narratives Almost Unhindered? "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. (RELATED: Capitol Police Downplayed Intelligence From Security Firm Warning Of Capitol Riot). 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. "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. Blantons dismissal came just hours after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he had lost confidence in Blanton and (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. 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. 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. Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years. 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. The inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. 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 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 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. The misuse of the government vehicle resulted in "no less than $13,926.56 as net questioned costs," the report found. The inspector general's report was released last fall, but Blanton found himself in the hot seat again last week during a House Administration Committee hearing, where he told lawmakers that he wasn't on the grounds during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. 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. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Democratic lawmakers are calling for the resignation of J. 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