Biden Fires Capitol Architect

After an inspection that revealed Blanton had been abusing his position, President Joe Biden removed Capitol architect Brett Blanton.

Blanton will be no longer the architect for the Capitol, as announced by the White House.

Biden removed the architect, who serves at the president’s pleasure, after Kevin McCarthy is Speaker of The House (R-Calif.) said he had lost confidence in Blanton’s ability to perform his job.

“The Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, no longer has my confidence to continue in his job,” McCarthy wrote A Twitter post dated February 13, 2013. “He should resign or President Biden should remove him immediately.”

Blanton was “terminated at the President’s direction,” The White House stated Monday.

Concerns over Blanton stem from a Office of the Inspector General report (OIG) that was completed last year. It found Blanton had been convicted of committing crimes. “administrative, ethical, and policy violations.” They included the abuse of his government car and misrepresentation that he was a law enforcer officer.PDF).

The OIG report is at the end of the document.  “J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.”

“Prior to and throughout the OIG investigation, Blanton consistently contradicted his vehicle-use authority,” The report is as follows.

The report relays an ethics tip describing an encounter with Blanton’s vehicle.

The complainant spotted Blanton’s government-issue black Ford Explorer. The vehicle was reported to be in good condition at the time. “driving extremely reckless[ly]” Through a parking garage. The female driver was traveling at an estimated 65 MPH or faster in an area where the speed limit is 30.

The driver at the time was later revealed to be Blanton’s daughter.

According to the report, “the Architect of the Capitol (person) or their designee has the authority to determine if a compelling operational condition exists that would benefit AOC operations by using a motor vehicle for [home-to-work] use,” Blanton did not identify his daughter as the authorized driver of this vehicle.

Blanton is also listed in the report as having committed other violations with government-issued vehicles.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R.Wis.), who is the House Administration Committee Chair, agrees to McCarthy about the necessity of removing Blanton.

“[The] Inspector General’s report was highly concerning,” Steil was quoted as follows: Say it Tweet. “[Blanton’s] refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.”

It was not only Republicans who are critical of Blanton—Democrats have also blasted the embattled former architect.

Norma Torres, a Democratic-Calif. Representative, testified during a hearing. Blanton told her she was “outraged” By his decision to work remotely on January 6, 2021.

Blanton decided to work at home that day. Law enforcement leaders were expecting things to turn sour.

Citizens for Ethics, a left-leaning political oversight organization, also called for Blanton’s removal in a Jan. 18, 2023 letter to the leadership of the 118th Congress (PDF).

Blanton was not available for comment immediately.

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