After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. After doing our due diligence, the Architect of [the] Capitol was terminated at the Presidents direction, the official said in a statement. 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. ", "I wholeheartedly reject any assertation that I've engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country," Blanton said. "We took a look at the whole situation, having dealt with this guy for a while, and I think the president made the right decision, he said. 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. No Architect has ever been removed by Congress, but the Senate is considering legislation that would clarify that the position is subject to impeachment. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "All PATRIOTS welcome," one of her posts proclaimed. The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. 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. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. "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. "If I'm at Home Depot and something happens, there would be a delayed response getting to the Capitol," Blanton told lawmakers. Following the reports release, six Democrats who chair committees that oversee the AOC called for Blantons removal, explaining that, Based on the Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. ", 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.. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. Lawmakers are sounding the alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms to Russia. The House Republicans' Twitter account on Friday requested Biden to remove Blanton immediately. The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. 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. 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.". 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. The Biden administration on Monday "terminated" the Architect of the Capitol, the White House confirmed. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R 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. 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. 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. [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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy wrote. 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. This was all while the government was footing the bill for her travels. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately.. Some experts believe Congress has the authority to impeach Blanton, but others, including Steil, believe his ouster would require executive action since the Capitol architect is a position appointed by the president. An inspector general report released in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the R-Wisconsin, also called on Blanton to immediately resign. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. The investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton's daughter recklessly driving an AOC Ford Explorer at a Walmart in Tyson's Corner. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy tweeted. 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. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. 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. 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. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. 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. 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.. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, the speaker tweeted Monday. You can see things didnt go well for 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 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. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. 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. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. "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. 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. 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. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. Blanton was Blanton was appointed to the role by former President Donald Trump in 2019. 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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. You have permission to edit this article. His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump and remained in the job when Biden came into office. "After doing our due diligence, the Architect of Capitol was terminated at the President's direction," the White House official said. President Biden on Monday fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton following allegations that he misrepresented himself as a law enforcement [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. He wasnt able to drive there. Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. 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. I think it may be, certainly of anyone with a position of power and a title. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. [9], As a result, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, an omnibus spending bill, included a clause in the AOC budget "That none of the funds appropriated or made available under this heading in this Act or any other Act, including previous Acts, may be used for a home-to-work vehicle for the Architect or a duly authorized designee". CNN President Joe Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. President Biden on Monday fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton following allegations that he misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer and led banned tours, among other charges. 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. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. 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. Spokane, Washington Est. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. "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. All Rights Reserved. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. [5], President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. Outrageous that you were not here.. 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