(PartiallyPolitics.com) On Monday President Biden filed the Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, a general report about Blanton misusing a government vehicle and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
A White House official told the Hill that following their due diligence, the President instructed for Blanton’s term to be terminated. Many had called for Blanton to either step down or to be removed from office by President Biden following the report.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) hours prior to the announcement had called for Blanton to resign or be fired. House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) and ranking member Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) had similarly called for Blanton to step down. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for ensuring the Capitol building is maintained and preserved.
In October the inspector general report showed that Blanton and his family have been using a government vehicle for personal use, which had led to inappropriate costs of $14,000. Blanton had also been caught identifying as a duty police officer inappropriately after he chased down a hit-and-run that took place close to his home.
Blanton had been nominated to be the Architect of the Capitol by President Donald Trump and had been confirmed for the 10-year term by the Senate in December 2019.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had been asked earlier this month how Biden was viewing the situation. To this, she had replied that the President was handling the case with the utmost seriousness and was considering the advice of members of Congress on what actions they would like to see taken.
Copyright 2023, PartiallyPolitics.com