Eric Lander, top science adviser for President Joe Biden, announced his resignation amid reports that he created a “toxic work environment.”
“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 a letter to Biden.
Lander explained he “sought to push myself and my colleagues to reach our shared goals – including at times challenging and criticizing.”
He continued, “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. That was never my intention. Nonetheless, it is my fault and my responsibility. I will take this lesson forward. I believe it is not possible to continue effectively in my role, and the work of this office is far too important to be hindered.”
NEW: Eric Lander has resigned. Here's his reisignation letter.
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) February 8, 2022
first reported by Wapo. pic.twitter.com/KVwGtuOQ0o
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement following Lander’s announcement.
“The President accepted Dr. Eric Lander’s resignation letter this evening with gratitude for his work at OSTP on the pandemic, the Cancer Moonshot, climate change, and other key priorities. He knows that Dr. Lander will continue to make important contributions to the scientific community in the years ahead,” Psaki said.
Politico reported there was “credible evidence of disrespectful interactions with staff by Dr. Lander and OSTP leadership.”
Christian Peele, the White House’s deputy director of management and administration for personnel, said there was “credible evidence” Lander had spoken “harshly and disrespectfully to colleagues in front of other colleagues.”
Additionally, 14 individuals reported “similar descriptions of a toxic work environment where they say Lander frequently bullied, cut off and dismissed subordinates.”
The outlet also reported on an email Lander sent to his staff.
“I am deeply sorry for my conduct. I especially want to apologize to those of you who I treated poorly or were present at the time,” he wrote.
Lander added, “It’s my responsibility to set a respectful tone for our community. It’s clear that I have not lived up to this responsibility. I have spoken to colleagues within OSTP in a disrespectful or demeaning way.”
