Top US Biden Science and Technology Advisor Resigns Over 'Employee Harassment' Issue

Eric Lander, Director of the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
[Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Eric Lander, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and President Joe Biden's top science and technology advisor, who faced disciplinary action for harassing and belittling employees, ultimately resigned on the 7th (local time).

According to AP News and others, Director Lander submitted his resignation to President Biden late in the afternoon and began the handover process, stating he would resign no later than the 18th. The White House later announced that President Biden accepted his resignation, expressing gratitude for Lander's work at OSTP on the pandemic, cancer eradication plans, climate change, and more.

Lander's resignation came just hours after the White House confirmed that it had obtained credible evidence through an internal investigation the previous day. The investigation began last year when Rachel Wallace, then Lander's legal counsel, accused him of harassment and raised concerns.

The White House stated in the investigation results, "Several women had filed complaints with other employees about negative interactions with Director Lander," and noted, "He belittled certain employees or treated them unpleasantly in front of others." Christian Phil, Deputy Director of White House Personnel Management, said, "Lander gossiped about and looked down on employees, embarrassed them in front of colleagues, mocked and pointed fingers at them, and retaliated by stripping or replacing their duties," confirming evidence of harassment.

In response, Lander acknowledged his mistakes and apologized to the staff. In a memo sent to employees, he said, "I failed to foster a respectful atmosphere in our organization. I spoke to colleagues in rude or belittling ways," adding, "I deeply regret my actions and want to apologize to those I treated that way or who were present."

In the memo, Lander stated, "I will take concrete measures to create a better workplace," but soon after, criticism arose that his continued tenure was inconsistent with President Biden's warning that anyone treating colleagues rudely would be fired on the spot. It appears that he ultimately chose to submit his resignation himself.

AP described this as "the first cabinet-level resignation in the Biden administration."

The position of White House OSTP Director was elevated to a cabinet-level post under the Biden administration. This reflected President Biden's commitment to science-based policies during the COVID-19 pandemic by raising his top science advisor's status. Lander, a former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, is a renowned mathematician and geneticist, and an authority on the Human Genome Project.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.