Architect Biden Terminated Blanton after the Insurrection and After the McCarthy Referendum: A Public Works Inspector General Revisited
Biden “terminated” Blanton amid bipartisan calls for his firing or resignation, including from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier Monday, the official said.
An inspector general’s report in the fall said Blanton had abused government property and wasted taxpayer money by allowing his family to take a government vehicle on out-of-town trips. The federal watchdog accused Blanton of ethics violations over an offer to provide tours to “patriots” weeks before the November 2020 election.
Blanton said that he had taken his commitment to transform the agency’s culture to promote positive workplace for every employees, despite the fact that he has engaged in unethical behavior while serving in this particular role. “Moreover, I have fully invested to ensure that I meet the responsibilities and the expectations of this role.”
Blanton defended not being at the Capitol during the insurrection because he said he was unable to drive due to the number of people on the grounds. The Architect of the Capitol used his official vehicle as a mobile command post on January 6.
Blanton was accused of being in the mobile command center by other members who jumped on his admission to question why he was there.
“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 that’s attached to it? Blanton was asked if he could not have fulfilled the same function at home using a cell phone.
The United States Capitol Police Board Meets with Senator Torres: A New Look at an Inspiral by a Lossy Capitol Police Inspector
Blanton is one of three voting members of the United States Capitol Police Board, which oversees the USCP. His responsibilities include overseeing the Capitol’s property management and operations.
After recounting her experience of being stranded on a balcony during the insurrection, Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California grew visibly frustrated.
She said she was angry that you would be sitting in a comfortable place, while the rest of us were thinking about dying and how we’d come out alive.
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.
The president fired Blanton after the White House did “due diligence,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.
Blanton was in the hot seat last week during a House Administration Committee hearing, after he told lawmakers that he wasn’t on the grounds during the Capitol attack.
The Inspector General’s report was very concerning, which is why the first hearing was dedicated to providing oversight over the AOC. “His refusal to be transparent and truthful has made clear that he can no longer lead the organization and must resign immediately.”