Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. "We take the IG report seriously and the request from members of Congress seriously as well and are evaluating next steps," 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. Spokane, Washington Est. An inspector general report released in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the 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. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? Ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) was so unsatisfied by Blantons performance, he called for his resignation #FireBlanton https://t.co/Ijf1xNCsxY. 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. 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. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told NBC News, I agree with the presidents decision to fire the architect.". 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 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. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. - 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. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. 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. 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. 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. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. He obviously We publish the objective news, period. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. WebPresident Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars. 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. 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. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006. 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. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. Blantons dismissal came just hours after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he had lost confidence in Blanton and It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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Blanton was appointed in 2019 by President Donald Trump to a ten-year term. Mica Soellner can be reached at msoellner@washingtontimes.com. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 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. 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. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. 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? Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisc. After doing our due diligence, the Architect of [the] Capitol was terminated at the Presidents direction, the official said in a statement. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. The result was mixed, Majority of voters, plurality of Democrats say Biden is too old to run again, *Gulp* Finland is building a wall on Russia's border, Maher on CNN: If its Biden against Trump, Biden will win thats a good bet", George Santos' CNN Response Is a Master Troll Move, Biden owns border critics with chuckling reminder this mom's sons died of fentanyl overdoses in 2020, Shock Report: FBI Agents Did Not Want to Raid Mar-a-Lago. 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 Biden administration on Monday "terminated" the Architect of the Capitol, the White House confirmed. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. "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. 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 []. He should resign or President Biden should remove him Biden ousted Brett Blanton, the previous capitol architect, earlier this month after an inspector generals report found that he misused his authority. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. No Architect has ever been removed by Congress, but the Senate is considering legislation that would clarify that the position is subject to impeachment. 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. 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 An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". 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. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. You can see things didnt go well for Blanton. In a statement Monday, Morelle praised Biden for doing "the right thing" by dismissing Blanton. The inspector general was first alerted to these problems through a complaint on a hotline on March 7, 2021. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years. Biden "terminated" Blanton amid bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier on Monday, the official said. The vehicle was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only. 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.". He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. 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. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no Blanton was Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. In on January 16, 2020. [ 7 ] has my confidence to continue in his job and. Response to McCarthy 's call for action who misuse their privileges must be removed their. 13,926.56 in costs attributed to the office of the Capitol Brett Blanton, no has... 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