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. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone?," Morelle asked Blanton. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. 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 the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. The architect of the Capitol is tasked with maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, according to AOC.gov. - There were some $13,926.56 in costs attributed to the Ford Explorer. NPR's Scott Detrow contributed to this report. 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]. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. 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 report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. 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 Mr. Blanton was accused in the report of misrepresenting himself as a law enforcement officer, leading banned tours of the Capitol and misusing his government-issued vehicle. 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 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. "We take the IG report seriously and the request from members of Congress seriously as well and are evaluating next steps," she said. Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. 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. Committee members characterized his performance as evasive, and Morelle responded by calling for his resignation. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Mr. Blanton's incompetency is a danger to his office, and I join @RepJoeMorelle to call for his immediate resignation," Torres tweeted. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. Following the reports release, six Democrats who chair committees that oversee the AOC called for Blantons removal, explaining that, Based on the Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. "I am outraged that you would be in a comfortable place while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, outrageous that you were not here," she said. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. He wasnt able to drive there. 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. 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. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. 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. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he said. 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. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". An inspector generalreportreleased in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the Capitol vehicles intended for home-to-work use as personal vehicles, resulting in nearly $14,000 worth of inappropriate costs. The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. 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. Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican heading the committee, asked if Blanton had impersonated a law enforcement officer, as alleged in the report. here for reprint permission. 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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy wrote. 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. During the pandemic, Blanton reportedly gave tours of the U.S. Capitol despite the official closure of the building to the public. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. 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Last year, a handful of lawmakers called for Blantons resignation, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the head of the Rules Committee, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), who led the Administration Committee at the time. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, the speaker tweeted Monday. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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. 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. 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.". House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday called on Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton to resign after damaging inspector general report last fall. An inspector general report released in October found that Blanton and his family had misused Architect of the Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate. ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined Morelle in demanding Blantons ouster on Monday, making the calls bipartisan. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. 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. 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. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money. 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.". Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News. 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. 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 []. The move comes after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) urged the president to oust Blanton on Monday, contending that he lost faith in him. Blanton, was grilled last week by members of the House Committee on Administration during a hearing to review a federal watchdog report. "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. Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. 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