White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is facing questions about President Joe Biden’s vow to fire staffers “on the spot” if they disrespected their colleagues after a report stated that a top science adviser “bullied and demeaned” subordinates.
Fox News Jacqui Heinrich asked on Monday, “Does the fact that Dr. Lander has a job still cheapen the president’s promise to fire anyone who treats colleagues with disrespect on the spot?”
“I would just reiterate that the president takes his commitment to having a respectful work environment incredibly seriously, and it’s something that he conveys clearly to all of us on a regular basis,” Psaki responded.
She continued, “That is why we point in place a safe and respectful workplace policy which is the process through which this thorough investigation proceeded through and the process through which there was an investigation. Dr. Lander, obviously, his behavior was inappropriate and corrective action needed to be taken.”
“And he will be held to account,” she added.
Watch the video below:
.@JacquiHeinrich: "Does the fact that Dr. Lander has a job still cheapen the President's promise to fire anyone who treats colleagues with disrespect on the spot?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 7, 2022
Psaki refuses to say that he will be fired. pic.twitter.com/OOPD4q6WW3
The exchange comes on the heels of a report in Politico that Dr. Eric Lander, a top science adviser, “bullied and demeaned his subordinates.”
According to the outlet, 14 individuals from the Office of Science and Technology Policy “shared similar descriptions of a toxic work environment where they say Lander frequently bullied, cut off and dismissed subordinates.”
In an email apologizing for his behavior, Lander wrote, “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 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.”
Psaki faced several questions about the report.
On his first day in office, Biden said, “I’m not joking when I say this: If you’re ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect or talk down to someone, I promise you, I will fire you on the spot — on the spot. No ifs, ands or buts.”