brett blanton resignation
Posted on 14 april 2023 by dr challoner's high school fees
President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. Whats Biden waiting for when it comes to 2024? He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. Blanton rebutted that he had identified himself as a member of the Capitol Police Board, which he is, and not an officer. Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. 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. 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. $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash fringe benefits. Blanton also allegedly misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official. I will say that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence.". "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. IE 11 is not supported. "Since I have only had the opportunity to read the Inspector General's summary report, I can only speak to the language that I have seen. "Blanton told the other party involved that it was a government vehicle, he was an 'agent' and he did not have insurance information because the government would handle the insurance claim," according to the report. Im outraged that you would be in a comfortable place, sir, while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, Democratic California Rep. Norma Torres said at the hearing. 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 that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, he testified. 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. House lawmakers grilled Blanton over the report in a House Administrationhearinglast week, where Blanton pushed back on the report. If you want the facts, then sign up below and join our movement for objective news: Get news from American Digest in your inbox. Bill would get rid of the Democratic Party in Fla. 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[1], Blanton was terminated from his position after an inspector general's report found "administrative, ethical and policy violations" by Blanton, including allegations that he misused his government vehicle and misrepresented himself as a law enforcement official.[2]. Democratic New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, confirmed the firing in a statement. Biden terminated Blanton after bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation were sounded by members of Congress, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. [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". 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. 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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. 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. ", "I wholeheartedly reject any assertation that I've engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country," Blanton said. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. 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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. "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. I am outraged to hear that you were be in a comfortable place, sir, while the rest of us were thinking about dying that day and how we were going to come out alive that day, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) said during the hearing, saying that a police officer could not close or lock a door because he did not have the keys. He was the only member of the board who did not resign or lose Blanton was appointed by former President Donald Trump but has been Committee members characterized his performance as evasive, and Morelle responded by calling for his resignation. 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 Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican heading the committee, asked if Blanton had impersonated a law enforcement officer, as alleged in the report. J. Brett Blanton, the Architect of the Capitol, was grilled by House Committee on Administration members last week. Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau. 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. [6] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. 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. Biden "terminated" Blanton amid bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier on Monday, the official said. A number of Democrats, including Torres, also called for Blanton's ouster. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately. Blanton said in last weeks hearing that his vehicle served as the Architect of the Capitols mobile command post during Jan. 6, 2021, during the Capitol attack, and did not go to the Capitol during the attack because there would have been next to no way to get onto this campus.. According to the report, Blanton repeatedly misused his government-issued vehicle, misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer, and led private tours of the Capitol. 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. "Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.". 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. 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. NBC News has asked Blanton's office for comment. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy said in a tweet on Monday. 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. "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. This was all while the government was footing the bill for her travels. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. 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 Blanton said he was monitoring developments remotely during the Jan. 6 riot. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. Calls for Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blantons ouster or resignation are getting louder in the wake of a fiery House Administration hearing earlier this week. 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. CNN has reached out to the office of the Architect of the Capitol for response to McCarthy's call for Blanton's resignation. The White House said Monday that Blantons 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday called on Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton to resign after damaging inspector general report last fall. 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. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. Blanton also stated that on January 6 he was using his official vehicle as the Architect of the Capitol's mobile command post. In his opening statement he had noted that the AOC vehicle is to allow the architect to support the Capitol in a remote capacity, and that "it is inaccurate to characterize the state of the vehicle is only for home to work purposes.". Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisc. The big picture: An inspector general report last year accused Brett Blanton, who was appointed by former President Trump, of abusing his authority. There were aggressive calls for Blantons resignation immediately following the shocking violence that unfolded during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Lawmakers are sounding the alarm after the CIA confirmed that China may be considering sending lethal arms to Russia. Maybe Morelle forgot that Democrats lost control of the House. 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. The board consists of the House sergeant at arms, the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper and the architect of the Capitol. Click The board and its structure, as well as its ability to quickly authorize outside assistance during emergencies, came under scrutiny after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. 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. The report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements lacking evidence.. Members of Congress rejected his testimony, with several calling for him to resign. The Architect was not on-site during the riot, but worked out of his government car. 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. The Inspector Generals report was highly concerning, Steil said. President Joe Biden has fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, the Western Journal reported. Why? Flip. Blanton was the only member of the Capitol Police Board who still had a job after the Jan. 6 riot. He did not have Police radios and sufficient equipment in his job are sounding the after... Arms to Russia in his job GOP ( @ HouseAdmin ) February 13, 2023 Democrats. January 16, 2020. [ 7 brett blanton resignation material may not be published, broadcast,,... Considering sending lethal arms to Russia New York Rep. Joe Morelle, ranking member of the Jan. Capitol. That unfolded during the riot, but worked out of his government.... 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