Biden fires Trump-appointed Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton after alleged misconduct, White House says
- President Joe Biden fired the Architect of the Capitol, the White House said Monday.
- Brett Blanton was accused of abusing his authority.
President Joe Biden fired Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, a White House official confirmed to Insider on Monday afternoon.
"After doing our due diligence, Mr. Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol was terminated at the President's direction," the official said in a statement.
Blanton's dismissal follows a report from the Inspector General's office accusing Blanton of misusing a government vehicle and impersonating a police officer.
He also sparked outrage among House Administration Committee members during a hearing last week when he said he did not respond to the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection "because of the security situation," Roll Call reported. The IG report said he confirmed that he didn't talk with US Capitol Police about a request for an emergency declaration or interest in seeking National Guard support in advance of the January 6 breach.
In a February 13 letter to Blanton obtained by Punchbowl News, a White House official wrote that Blanton's appointment would be terminated by 5 p.m. at Biden's direction.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for Blanton's resignation or removal on Monday after the oversight hearing last week. Democrats and Republicans on the House Administration Committee reportedly called for him to step down.
The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for facilities, maintenance, and operation of the US Capitol, among other things. Blanton was sworn in on January 16, 2020 for a 10-year term.
The report on Blanton says the IG identified "a significant amount of administrative, ethical and policy violations as well as evidence of criminal violations throughout the investigation."
The IG says that Blanton and his family "continually misused" work vehicles, taking them on weekend trips to a craft brewery, out of town, and for general family use.
He drove nearly 30,000 miles during a period when he should have driven just over 10,000. The mileage excess amounts to $12,434 in unreported, taxable noncash benefits, the report says. He also paid $1,409 because of an accident at a craft brewery.
On social media, his wife offered tours of the Capitol when it was closed to the public because of COVID-19. "Contact me for a private tour. All PATRIOTS accepted!" she wrote, according to the IG.
In June 2020, Blanton used a government vehicle to pursue a suspect involved in a hit and run accident near his home after his daughter's boyfriend's vehicle was struck. Blanton was described as "making an affirmative action" when asked if he was law enforcement during pretrial meetings.
"Interviews confirmed that, based on Blanton's statements, affirmative movements, use of a law-enforcement-equipped vehicle and credentials, the Fairfax County Police Officers, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney and defense counsel for the suspect all believed Blanton was an off-duty law enforcement officer throughout the entire court proceedings," the report says, noting that Blanton denied misrepresenting himself and said his credentials are marked to say "Capitol Police Board Member."