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Eric Lander, who serves as director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, was the focus of an internal review after
subordinates complained about his treatment of them. The review
was first reported by Politico earlier on Monday and confirmed
by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
"I am devastated that I caused hurt to past and present
colleagues by the way in which I have spoken to them," Lander
said in the resignation letter submitted to Biden.
Noting that he sought to push himself and colleagues by at times
"challenging and criticizing," he acknowledged that "things I
said, and the way I said them, crossed the line at times into
being disrespectful and demeaning."
The allegations against Lander struck a nerve given Biden came
into office pledging to take a hard line on any disrespect among
members of his administration and turn the page from the
derisive rhetoric of his predecessor Donald Trump.
"If you're ever working with me and I hear you treat another
colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I
will fire you on the spot ... no ifs, ands or buts," Biden told
political appointees during a swearing-in ceremony.
"Everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity,"
he said at the time.
When asked about the allegations against Lander earlier on
Monday, Psaki condemned Lander's behavior.
"In addition to the full, thorough investigation, it was
conveyed through meetings to senior White House officials
directly that his behavior was inappropriate," she said.
"Nothing about his behavior is acceptable to anyone here - not
at all," she added.
On Monday evening, Psaki put out a statement saying Biden had
accepted Lander's resignation letter "with gratitude for his
work," citing his role in fighting cancer, climate change and
the coronavirus pandemic.
Lander said his resignation should be effective no later than
Feb. 18.
(Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Andrea Shalal; Writing by
Doina Chiacu, Heather Timmons and Alexandra Alper; Editing by
Aurora Ellis and Jane Wardell)
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