White House Science Adviser Resigns Hours After Apologizing For Disrespectful And Demeaning Behavior

Topline

The White House’s top science official Eric Lander resigned on Monday hours following an apology to his colleagues at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) for acting in a “disrespectful or demeaning way”, a move that comes after an internal investigation found credible evidence that Lander engaged in repeated bullying of staffers in a violation of White House workplace policy.

Key Facts

After initial indications that Lander may be allowed to remain on the job, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that President Joe Biden had accepted his resignation “with gratitude” for his work on several key issues.

In his resignation letter, Lander wrote that he was “devastated” for hurting his colleagues and acknowledging that his behavior had at times “crossed the line” into being “disrespectful and demeaning.”

Lander added that he believed it was no longer possible for him to continue effectively in his role adding that the work of the OSTP is “far too important to be hindered.”

The White House noted that Biden had not requested Lander’s resignation.

Crucial Quote

“I have sought to push myself and my colleagues to reach our shared goals — including at times challenging and criticizing. But it is clear that things I said, and the way I said them, crossed the line at times into being disrespectful and demeaning, to both men and women,” Lander wrote in his resignation letter.