Amid ‘Evidence’ of Bullying, OSTP Director Resigns
Following reporting earlier that day by POLITICO about a White House inquiry, including leaked tapes of internal meetings, Eric Lander resigned Feb. 7 as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Lander told President Biden in a letter he was “devastated that I caused hurt to past and present colleagues by the way in which I have spoken to them.” He will remain in the post until Feb. 18 “at the latest,” Lander wrote in resignation letter, which OSTP provided to RRC.
Citing a recording of a “White House briefing on the investigation’s findings,” POLITICO initially reported that “14 current and former OSTP staffers shared descriptions of a toxic work environment under Lander where they say Lander frequently bullied, cut off and dismissed subordinates. Several shared specific accusations that he belittled and demeaned women subordinates in particular.” The investigation also found “credible evidence” that Lander had bullied Rachel Wallace when she was OSTP general counsel; her complaints spurred the investigation, which also found “credible evidence of disrespectful interactions with staff by Dr. Lander and OSTP leadership,” according to POLITICO. Later that same day, the White House stood by Lander, saying he would be subject to “corrective actions,” but pressure grew to have him step down, which he did that evening.
