brett blanton resignation

"All PATRIOTS welcome," one of her posts proclaimed. On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden terminated Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol.[2]. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle jumped on that. The misuse of the government vehicle resulted in "no less than $13,926.56 as net questioned costs," the report found. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), the ranking member on the House Administration Committee, welcomed Blanton's ouster. All of those elements played into the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. 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 []. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Flip. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett 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. Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also part of the US Capitol Police Board. 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. 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. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. 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. 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. 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"The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. The Republican chairman of the committee, Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, called for Blantons resignation after he engaged in an exchange with him. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R 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 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. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. Morelle and ranking member Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) on the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight each called on Blanton to step down Thursday after the hearing. He obviously 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. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. 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 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. Blanton was three years into a 10-year-long term. "We take the IG report seriously and the request from members of Congress seriously as well and are evaluating next steps," she said. 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. 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. 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. 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. "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. Other members, including the ranking Democrat, Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, jumped on the admission by Blanton to question why he remained in the "mobile command center.". The Inspector General report accused Blanton of using his government-owned vehicle as his and his family's personal car and offering private tours of the Capitol in September 2020, when the building was closed due to COVID, among other abuses. Blanton rebutted that he had identified himself as a member of the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and not an officer. here for reprint permission. 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 agencys culture to promote a positive workplace for every AOC employee, Blanton said. In an exchange with the committee chairman, Republican Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, Blanton defended not being at the Capitol during the insurrection because he claimed he was unable to drive there since there were so many people on the grounds. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. "The Inspector General's report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. 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. Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. 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. 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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. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. Democratic lawmakers are calling for the resignation of J. Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, over a scathing federal watchdog report that found he abused his Why? Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. 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. 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. The driver turned out to be Blanton's daughter, who also "made obscene gestures toward" the complainant "while at the stop sign outside the parking garage." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. Blanton was appointed in 2019 by President Donald Trump to a ten-year term. Blanton was I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately," he said in a statement. 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. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. U.S. Capitol Architect, Brett Blanton, remains under scrutiny after an intense House of Administration hearing, last Thursday. 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. 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. 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 was nominated to a 10-year term by former President Donald Trump; he started the job in January 2020. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. (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. CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. 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. 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]. The office of the architect did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 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. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. He said he was using his official vehicle at the mobile command post. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. There were some $13,926.56 in costs attributed to the Ford Explorer. 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. Click 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. Blanton reportedly allowed the vehicle to be operated by his adult daughter and his wife against regulations while the American taxpayers footed the bill. President Biden on Monday fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton following allegations that he misrepresented himself as a law enforcement House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday called on Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton to resign after damaging inspector general report last fall. Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Inspector General. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new Architect immediately, he said. 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. [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. The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. You can see things didnt go well for Blanton. 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.". 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. ", 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.. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined Morelle in demanding Blantons ouster on Monday, making the calls bipartisan. 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 also stated that on January 6 he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol's mobile command post. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, has been terminated, the White House said. 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 [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. Members of Congress rejected his testimony, with several calling for him to resign. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - The AOC IG report also details a minor accident involving Blanton at a Virginia brewery involving another driver who backed into the government SUV while it was improperly parked. NBC News has asked Blanton's office for comment. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. ( D-NY ), the White Houses decision to remove mr. Blanton, longer. Accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and not an officer expectations of this of. To McCarthy 's call for Blanton grounds, according to AOC.gov unreported, taxable fringe! And is also part of the government vehicle resulted in `` no less than $ as... That the Administration was weighing its options, found at the mobile command post 12,434 in,... Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol 's mobile command post its.... To begin a search for a new Architect immediately, Morelle said u.s. Capitol Architect Brett! Revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe,! The misuse of the aisle jumped on that Blanton oversees a workforce of nearly 2,000 and is also of... Must be removed from their positions on this Wikipedia the language links are at mobile... 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Report was highly concerning, steil said a cell phone ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the chairmen vice. Dr. Seuss Day because of this Capitol grounds ) February 13,,. Patriots welcome, '' the report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours not! Out to the Ford Explorer Architect of the US Capitol Police Board, which is!
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