(Jack Davis) A new report claims that in spite of President Joe Biden’s promise that the Biden administration would be tough on bullying, the president’s top science adviser has been getting away with it.
Source – The Federalist Papers
by Jack Davis, February 7th, 2022
The report in Politico focuses on Cabinet member and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Eric Lander. The report said it is based upon interviews and an audio recording shared with the site, as well as the conclusions of an internal White House investigation.
Biden swaggered into office saying that anyone in his administration who bullies lower-level staffers would be fired “on the spot. No ifs, ands or buts.”
Politico said that according to a recording of a briefing that took place in January and discussed the investigation, Lander acted in a “bullying” manner toward then-general counsel, Rachel Wallace.
The recording included a comment from Christian Peele, the White House’s deputy director of management and administration for personnel, saying that the probe found “credible evidence of disrespectful interactions with staff by Dr. Lander and OSTP leadership,” Politico reported.
“The investigation found credible evidence of instances of multiple women having complained to other staff about negative interactions with Dr. Lander, where he spoke to them in a demeaning or abrasive way in front of other staff,” Peele said in the recording.
Lander did not speak to Politico. However, the site said that he emailed his staff concerning his conduct.
“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. “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.”
A White House statement said that “a full and thorough investigation was conducted” and “White House leadership met with Dr. Lander to discuss the seriousness of the matter and the president’s expectation that all staff interactions be conducted with respect.”
“The investigation found credible evidence of violations of the EOP’s Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy, and corrective action was taken consistent with those findings,” the Office of Science and Technology Policy said in a statement.
Lander “retaliated against staff for speaking out and asking questions by calling them names, disparaging them, embarrassing them in front of their peers, laughing at them, shunning them, taking away their duties and replacing them or driving them out of the agency. Numerous women have been left in tears, traumatized and feeling vulnerable and isolated,” Wallace said to Politico.
“Lander’s apology did not come close to addressing the full extent of his egregious behavior,” she continued.
“He did so much more than speak to staff in a ‘disrespectful or demeaning way.’”
“Lander’s apology was not only disingenuous. It compounded the deep hurt and damage he has caused by ignoring these other acts of aggression, harassment and retaliation,” she added.
The OSTP said the “investigation did not find credible evidence of gender-based discrimination.”
Politico spoke to what it said were staffers in Lander’s office who thought he deserved to be fired — or at least punished more severely. Politico did not use the names of those it quoted.
One staffer said Lander “has a bit of Jekyll and Hyde personality. If he’s in a meeting with external people, he’s positive and ebullient, even. It’s behind closed doors that he changes.”
“There are a lot of brilliant people in this country. I completely reject the notion that his brilliance is so singular and critical to the nation that his behavior is excusable,” the employee said.
“Mr. President, please protect the dignity and well-being of our staff by standing by your zero-tolerance policy,” a second employee pleaded.
“The Joe Biden I voted for would never knowingly empower an aggressor like Lander who openly targets women by publicly humiliating, infantilizing and intimidating them into submission.”
“But Lander seems to know he’s protected. The most terrifying part about him is the open and brazen way he conducts his abuse. After repeatedly insulting and humiliating me in front of colleagues, Lander acknowledged his inability to control himself, telling me ‘I hate that I do it,’” the staffer explained.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Save 10% and get free shipping with a subscription!Fight viruses, remove heavy metals and microplastics, and restore your gut all at once with
Humic and Fulvic Acid from Ascent Nutrition.
MUST HAVE DETOX POWERHOUSE!
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
Source:
Support our work! (Avoid Big Tech PayPal and Patreon)DIRECT DONATION
Leave a Reply