White House science adviser resigns after investigation into workplace policy violations

The resignation of the President’s science adviser and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy comes just a day after damning reports surfaced that he had been the subject of an internal investigation late last year after a complaint was filed under the Executive Office of the President’s Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. The investigation, first reported by Politico, found “credible evidence” of violations of the policy and “corrective action was taken consistent with those findings,” a spokesperson for OSTP told CNN. It did not find credible evidence of gender-based discrimination, the spokesperson noted.

But by Monday evening, it became clear that Lander was facing fallout.

A source told CNN’s John Harwood that Lander would no longer testify before the House Subcommittee on Health on Tuesday as originally scheduled — a withdrawal so last minute that the committee had already posted his remarks as prepared for delivery.

And in a separate letter Monday, the American Association for the Advancement of Science said it would no longer welcome Lander as a speaker at its annual meeting next week, writing that the organization was “disappointed” to learn of the White House’s investigation and that Lander is not conducting himself in a manner befitting a scientific leader.

Lander had met with senior White House Office leadership “about the seriousness of this matter and the President and chief of staff’s expectations that all staff interactions exhibit respect,” the OSTP spokesperson told CNN. He was to be required to take a “number of actions” to correct the behavior and the White House would monitor the compliance of the requirements.

“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,” he wrote. “This is not only wrong, but also inconsistent with our Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. It is never acceptable for me to speak that way.”

“I am deeply sorry for my conduct,” Lander continued. “I especially want to apologize to those of you who I treated poorly, or were present at the time. I also realize that my conduct reflects poorly on this Administration, and interferes with our work. I deeply regret that.”

Lander said in his apology that his office would “take concrete steps to promote a better workplace,” and would schedule regular check-ins with staff about creating a “safe and respectful workplace.”

“OSTP is an amazing organization with amazing people taking on big, ambitious things. You deserve better, and I will do better. You have my absolute commitment,” Lander said.

This headline and story have been updated with additional developments Monday.