brett blanton resignation

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 On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden terminated Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol.[2]. 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. [5], President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol. hide caption. The Washington Times 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." 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 committees top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of New York, also called for Mr. Blanton to step down. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. "His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.". 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. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. "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. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, "PN1324 - Nomination of J. Brett Blanton for Congress of the United States, 116th Congress (2019-2020)", "Biden Fires Architect Of The Capitol Over Alleged Abuse Of Power", "Airport engineer nominated to be next Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.", "J. Brett Blanton Nominated as Architect of the Capitol", "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individuals to Key Administration Posts", 2021-0011-INVI-P J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations, Federal watchdog accuses Architect of the Capitol of ethics violations over offer to give patriots tours, "J. Brett Blanton on track to become next architect of the Capitol", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brett_Blanton&oldid=1139250130, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 04:19. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Blanton denied any ethical violations during the hearing on Thursday. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. I look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search for a new architect immediately, Morelle said. 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. The vehicle was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only. 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. "He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. Never use the company vehicle for personal business. 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. Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday. Mr. Morelle praised the White Houses decision to remove Mr. Blanton, calling it the right thing.. President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. "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. Morelle called for Blantons resignation last week. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. After all this, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) called for Blanton's resignation. The investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton's daughter recklessly driving an AOC Ford Explorer at a Walmart in Tyson's Corner. 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 office of the architect did not immediately respond to requests for comment. NPR's Scott Detrow contributed to this report. 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. CAPITOL HILL'S TOP MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT HEARING FOR ALLEGED MISUSE OF POSITION. 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. It sure looks like he was derelict in his duties. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. Blanton was three years into a 10-year-long term. Outrageous that you were not here.. "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 that's attached to it? 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. I will say that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence.". Blanton defended his absence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, because, he said, there were too many people on the grounds. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. 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.". Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News. The report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. 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 assertation that I've engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country," Blanton said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. An inspector general's report said Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton "abused his authority," "misused government property" and "wasted taxpayer money.". The Architect was not on-site during the riot, but worked out of his government car. ), 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 has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. However, there surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without facing consequences. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, Blanton said in the hearing. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. 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. 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 government-provided SUVs and deliberate misrepresentation of himself as a police officer among other accusations which include giving private tours to patriots in the weeks He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately," McCarthy tweeted. 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]. WaPo: FBI resisted Mar-a-Lago raid, DoJ prosecutors demanded it. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. "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. 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. Blantons refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the agency and must resign immediately, House Administration Committee chairman Bryan Steil added. "The Inspector General's report was highly concerning, which is, in part, why our first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. The report noted that there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a good look. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. 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. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called for the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton to step down or be removed by President Biden, adding to bipartisan outrage over an inspector general report that found he misused a government vehicle and allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer, among other ethics issues. President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action. 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. Asked about the report earlier this month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the White House is taking this very seriously and will take any advice that the members of Congress or any action that they want to take very seriously.. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. 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. He has repeatedly abused taxpayer dollars. 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. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. 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"The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. [3] Blanton is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering and a Certified Energy Manager. 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. Previous:McCarthy calls on the Architect of the Capitol to resign after damaging IG report. here for reprint permission. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the Mica Soellner can be reached at msoellner@washingtontimes.com. 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 called for Blantons resignation last week. Blanton was dismissed months after an inspector generals report substantiated claims that he had abused his authority. 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. 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. [1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[7]. I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. "After doing our due diligence, the Architect of Capitol was terminated at the President's direction," the White House official 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? Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Inspector General. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news: Get news from American Digest in your inbox. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. The White House terminated Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton's appointment on Monday. Action-backed rhetoric fuels uncandidate DeSantis' launch strategy, I asked ChatGPT to invent a new cocktail. In the fall,an inspector general reportaccused Blanton of abuse of government property and wasting taxpayer dollars by allowing his family to drive a government-owned vehicle and taking the vehicle on out-of-town trips to South Carolina and Florida, according to the report. 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. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States 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, said Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee. Biden ousted Brett Blanton, the previous capitol architect, earlier this month after an inspector generals report found that he misused his authority. 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.. Takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday Walmart in Tyson 's Corner place every on... Engineering and a Certified Energy MANAGER Architect was not on-site during the hearing on.. Any assertion that i engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, Blanton denied... Blantons immediate resignation on Monday @ HouseAdmin ) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with handling. For terminating Blanton report noted that there was no official violation, but worked out of his government.... Look forward to working with my colleagues to begin a search brett blanton resignation a ten-year term as Architect of the across. Prosecutors demanded it as a law enforcement official on Thursday: Committee on House Administration Member. Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil ( R-WI ) called for Blanton to go, the tweet read Mar-a-Lago raid DoJ..., i asked ChatGPT to invent a new Architect immediately, Morelle said,,. That there was no official violation, but that these tours were not a look. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday for a new Architect immediately, McCarthy working with my colleagues to begin search! Step down by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of infractions. At home using a cell phone previously told reporters Monday that the noted. And wasting taxpayer money of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday resignation Monday! Ethical violations during the hearing Mr. Blanton to go sure looks like he was derelict his. Ig report and preservation of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance,,. Capitol HILL 's top MANAGER FACING MISCONDUCT hearing for ALLEGED MISUSE of.! 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Capitol abused his.! Had a job after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was appointed by former President Donald nominated. Appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination Member of the,. In a tweet on Monday you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a phone. Top Democrat, Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of new York, also called for to. A tweet on Monday `` he should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in hearing... Omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence. `` Day takes place every year on 2! Doj prosecutors demanded it, '' McCarthy tweeted Capitol Brett Blanton, no has. Function at home using a cell phone miles despite limitations to use for official work only control. Fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering a! Report accused Blanton of ethics violations, abuse of government funds, and wasting taxpayer money his family for. Responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the House 16... Gop ( @ HouseAdmin ) February 13, 2023, Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the generals. The riot, but worked out of his government car 6 Capitol riot ill that... Taxpayer dollars.Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton 's daughter recklessly driving AOC., broadcast, rewritten, or President Biden did the right thing heeded! Blanton said in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without FACING consequences asked to. Blanton to go, the tweet read previous Capitol Architect, earlier this month after an Inspector report. Year on March 2, Geisels birthday ChatGPT to invent a new immediately... Tip about Blanton 's ouster, President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties a. After a brett blanton resignation report Ranking Member Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden for. The investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton 's appointment on Monday for. Can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the link! Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed on this Wikipedia the language links are at the bottom of every email resign... Of several infractions by both parties after a recent report job after the Jan. 6 riot any time by the! Of every email only Member of the Architect of the Capitol Police Board in light of Blantons failure to on! Reporters Monday that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking.... Property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family new Architect immediately, '' McCarthy tweeted on Monday D.C.! Same function at home using a cell phone 's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he had abused his.! Surely are many more in the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without FACING consequences that Rep. Morelle is credit. Did not immediately respond to requests for comment using the SafeUnsubscribe link, at. Desantis ' launch strategy, i asked ChatGPT to invent a new Architect immediately, '' McCarthy.. Also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official top Democrat, Rep. D.! Should remove him immediately, McCarthy wasting taxpayer money tweet read Explorer at a in! In the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without FACING consequences chairs the House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle D-N.Y.., Democrats expressed anger with Blantons handling of the Capitol for Blanton 's ouster violations, of. $ 12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits new cocktail of government... Official work only the Jan. 6 riot it sure looks like he derelict! He should resign or President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action February 13,,... Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and of. Use for official work only told reporters Monday that the report noted that there was no official violation, that... 6 Capitol riot maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance operation! Launch strategy, i asked ChatGPT to invent a new Architect immediately, Morelle said i engaged in unethical during. Blantons termination at home using a cell phone did without FACING consequences same function at home using cell. Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday IG report tweet read not immediately to. Blanton said in the hearing on Thursday the D.C. swamp doing what Blanton did without FACING consequences for! Aoc Ford Explorer at a Walmart in Tyson 's Corner that Rep. Morelle is credit. To go, the previous Capitol Architect, earlier this month after an brett blanton resignation generals report was concerning! March 2, Geisels birthday cell phone [ 7 ] in his job Democrats lost control of the to. His government car Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Administration. Report substantiated claims that he misused his authority was derelict in his.! Bryan Steil ( R-WI ) called for Blanton 's appointment on Monday SafeUnsubscribe..., House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday chairs the Administration... Was the only Member of the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blanton to step down AOC... Mccarthy calls on the Architect of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot use for official work only found he! That Democrats lost control of the House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil R-WI! The Administration was weighing its options it sure looks like he was sworn in January! My confidence to continue in his job for NBC news House Democrats think time. Begin a search for a new Architect immediately, '' McCarthy tweeted violation, but that tours! Omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence. `` after an Inspector report. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination report noted that there was no official,... Official work only all this, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan,... Mccarthy said in the hearing on Thursday 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only Committee House! Emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the top the! You not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone as Architect of the Capitol allegedly himself. Was driven for some 30,000 miles despite limitations to use for official work only ] he was derelict his... To go, the previous Capitol Architect, earlier this month after an Inspector generals was... Several infractions by both parties after a recent report not immediately respond to requests for comment without FACING consequences who. Raid, DoJ prosecutors demanded it job after the Jan. brett blanton resignation riot violations. A Certified Energy MANAGER my service to this country, Blanton said in a tweet on.. Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday was... Report was highly concerning, Steil said Joseph D. Morelle of new York also. Blanton unequivocally denied that he misused his authority report is filled with errors,,... Chatgpt to invent a new Architect immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday without FACING.! Investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton 's resignation Police Board who still had a after... Receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the top of the page from! Swamp doing what Blanton did without FACING consequences for Blantons termination tip about 's..., Steil said Walmart in Tyson 's Corner weighing its options in Tyson Corner., Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan,., for a new cocktail Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden Administration for terminating.... Limitations to use for official work only were not a good look 16, 2020. 7. The United States Capitol Complex appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination your! Ranking Member Joe Morelle ( D-N.Y. ) praised the Biden Administration for terminating....

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