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]. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously told reporters Monday that the administration was weighing its options. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol among bipartisan calls for his resignation. 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. Based on that behavior, Blanton has also been accused of giving the impression that he was in law enforcement. 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 chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) joined Morelle in demanding Blantons ouster on Monday, making the calls bipartisan. 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. You have permission to edit this article. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also called for Blanton's dismissal Monday. 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. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton, who was responsible for maintaining the U.S. Capitol, amid mounting allegations of ethics violations. 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 Architect of the Capitol is responsible for maintaining and operating Capitol grounds, and sits on the Capitol Police Board. 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. Spokane, Washington Est. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been accused of several infractions by both parties after a recent report. 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. 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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. Following the reports release, six Democrats who chair committees that oversee the AOC called for Blantons removal, explaining that, Based on the Mr. Blanton faced growing calls to step down from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy who urged his resignation on Monday. The abuse of government property charge includes allowing special treatment for his family. 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. here for reprint permission. Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. 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. House lawmakers grilled Blanton over the report in a House Administrationhearinglast week, where Blanton pushed back on the report. The responsibilities of his job include overseeing the Capitols property management and operations, and as one of three board members, he oversees the U.S. Capitol Police. ", 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.. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. Blanton denied misrepresenting himself as law enforcement, saying that it was a mistake on the part of Fairfax County Police after Blanton identified himself a Capitol Police Board Member.. 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. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate. 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. [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. Driving the news: Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) praised the Biden administration for terminating Blanton. "The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning," Steil said. 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 NBC News has asked Blanton's office for comment. A White House official confirmed the decision, telling Axios: [A]fter doing our due diligence, the Architect of Capitol was terminated at the president's direction.. 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.". I wholeheartedly reject any assertion I have engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he said. Blanton was Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. The report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements lacking evidence.. Is this the first termination that Biden has carried out? "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". 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. During the pandemic, Blanton reportedly gave tours of the U.S. Capitol despite the official closure of the building to the public. "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. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. The Biden administration on Monday "terminated" the Architect of the Capitol, the White House confirmed. 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. Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been 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. The Capitols architect oversees the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the U.S. Capitol complex. Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.. Action-backed rhetoric fuels uncandidate DeSantis' launch strategy, I asked ChatGPT to invent a new cocktail. Last week, he was pressed about those findings and other issues, such as his absence from the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, as he was testifying before the House Administration Committee. After all this, House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) called for Blanton's resignation. Joe Biden should immediately FIRE AOC Blanton. In the fall, an inspector general report accused 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. 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