Doctors prescribe Ozempic off label: Is that OK? 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. 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. In Thursday's hearing, Blanton unequivocally denied that he did anything unethical. The backdrop: The report found that Blanton serially misused government-issued vehicles for personal trips, and falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer. 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. 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. 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. 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. Shortly after McCarthys tweet, Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), the chairman of the House Administration Committee, joined calls for Blanton's 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. Torres called for Blantons resignation shortly after the hearing. Steil suggested that Congress could reorganize the Capitol Police board in light of Blantons failure to be on Capitol grounds. "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. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone?," Morelle asked Blanton. He referred to it as "an alternate work site" and said having to switch vehicles would slow him down. U.S. Capitol Architect, Brett Blanton, remains under scrutiny after an intense House of Administration hearing, last Thursday. The report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements lacking evidence.. Ill note that it appears that Rep. Morelle is taking credit for Blantons termination. Blantons dismissal came just hours after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he had lost confidence in Blanton and ", "I wholeheartedly reject any assertation that I've engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country," Blanton said. The White House said Monday that Blantons The Biden administration on Monday "terminated" the Architect of the Capitol, the White House confirmed. In another instance, he called himself an "agent" after he got in an accident at a brewery while using the vehicle on vacation, the report found. Rep. Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Administration Committee, called for Mr. Blantons immediate resignation on Monday. He previously called for Blanton to be terminated. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. 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 []. Haley Talbot is an associate producer in the NBC News Washington bureau. 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. 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"He should resign, or President Biden should remove him immediately," the California Republican added. "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. [10] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. 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. The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job. [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]. Regardless of who has appointed them, government officials who misuse their privileges must be removed from their positions. I will say that the report is filled with errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusionary statements lacking evidence.". I wholeheartedly reject any assertion that I engaged in unethical behavior during my service to this country, Blanton said in the hearing. Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate. "The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tweeted Monday. 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 Steil also called for Blanton to resign Monday. Even House Democrats think its time for Blanton to go, the tweet read. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority which operates the Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. We publish the objective news, period. 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 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." Flip. Outrageous that you were not here.. "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. He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, McCarthy tweeted Monday. 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? The job of the Capitol architect is to manage the massive landmark and its surrounding grounds. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. His explanation of being off campus during the day of Jan. 6 enraged some lawmakers. 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. Could you not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone? Morelle asked Blanton. Blanton responded that he did not have police radios and sufficient equipment in his house. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote. CNN President Joe Biden fired Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton on Monday following allegations that he misused government resources and was not 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 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. Blanton did himself few favors with his testimony to the House Administration Committee last week in which he admitted to being absent from the ), the chair of the panel, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately, Mr. McCarthy tweeted Monday. Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years. Meanwhile, the inspector general's report said Blanton's adult child called it "free gas" for her. Ranking Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle of New York questioned why he remained in the mobile command center. President Joe Biden removed Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton from his post days after House lawmakers grilled him about his reported misuse of government resources. Blanton reportedly allowed the vehicle to be operated by his adult daughter and his wife against regulations while the American taxpayers footed the bill. Full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote taxpayers footed the bill House think... Time for Blanton to go, the tweet read work site '' and said having to switch vehicles would him. '' Morelle asked Blanton, managing coverage of the Capitol Architect, Brett,! 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