Brett Blanton

James Brett Blanton is an American professional engineer who served as Architect of the Capitol (AOC) from January 2020 until February 13, 2023, overseeing the office of the Architect of the Capitol and its more than 2,400 employees.[1]

Brett Blanton
Architect of the Capitol
In office
January 16, 2020 – February 13, 2023
PresidentDonald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byStephen T. Ayers
Personal details
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Virginia Tech (MS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1993–2015
UnitCivil Engineer Corps

Blanton was terminated from his position after inspector general reports found "administrative, ethical and policy violations" by Blanton, including misrepresenting himself as a law enforcement official, misuse of government vehicles, waste, absenteeism, contracting irregularities, workplace misconduct and sexual harassment.[2][3]

Education and career

Blanton earned his Master of Science from Virginia Tech in ocean engineering and his Bachelor of Science in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1993.[4] He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in civil engineering and a Certified Energy Manager.

Blanton served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps for 22 years.[5] He retired from the Navy in 2015. He then served as Deputy Vice President for Engineering at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Reagan National and Dulles International Airports.[6]

Architect of the Capitol

President Donald Trump nominated Blanton on December 9, 2019, for a ten-year term as Architect of the Capitol.[7] On December 12, 2019, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing on his nomination. On December 16, 2019, the Committee reported his nomination favorably to the Senate floor. On December 19, 2019, the full Senate confirmed his nomination by voice vote.[1] He was sworn in on January 16, 2020.[8]

The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex.

Misuse of office

In November 2022, a report from the office of the Inspector General found that Blanton and his family had repeatedly misused the resources of his office. The investigation was prompted by a tip about Blanton's daughter recklessly driving an AOC Ford Explorer at a Walmart in Tyson's Corner.[9] Multiple instances of the Blanton family misusing government cars for personal use were documented in the report, which also documented how Blanton's wife gave unauthorized tours of the U.S. Capitol and that Blanton misrepresented himself as a police officer.[10]

As a result, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, an omnibus spending bill, included a clause in the AOC budget "That none of the funds appropriated or made available under this heading in this Act or any other Act, including previous Acts, may be used for a home-to-work vehicle for the Architect or a duly authorized designee".[11] Congressional representatives called for Blanton to resign. On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden terminated Blanton's appointment as Architect of the Capitol.[2]

Awards

References
  1. "PN1324 - Nomination of J. Brett Blanton for Congress of the United States, 116th Congress (2019-2020)". www.congress.gov. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  2. "Biden Fires Architect Of The Capitol Over Alleged Abuse Of Power". HuffPost. February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  3. Williamson, Elizabeth (June 7, 2023). "$1 Billion Federal Agency Seeks a Boss Who Will Show Up for Work". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  4. "Airport engineer nominated to be next Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C." Archinect. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. "J. Brett Blanton Nominated as Architect of the Capitol". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individuals to Key Administration Posts". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2019 – via National Archives.
  7. "Three Nominations Sent to the Senate". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2019 – via National Archives.
  8. "12th Architect of the Capitol Sworn In". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  9. Architect of the Capitol, Office of the Inspector General. 2021-0011-INVI-P – J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol, Abused His Authority, Misused Government Property and Wasted Taxpayer Money, Among Other Substantiated Violations.
  10. Wild, Whitney. "Federal watchdog accuses Architect of the Capitol of ethics violations over offer to give ‘patriots’ tours", CNN. November 1, 2022.
  11. "H.R.2617". Act of 2022 (PDF). p. 1164. Retrieved December 20, 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  12. Marquette, Chris (December 12, 2019). "J. Brett Blanton on track to become next architect of the Capitol". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
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