DEMOCRATS URGE BIDEN TO CHANNEL MCCONNELL AND PICK UP SUPREME COURT PACE

“Why should the American people trust what Biden says in other areas?” Mintz asked, specifically referring to Biden’s overtures to Russia over Ukraine. “Will he follow through?”

CNN-SSRS polling published last December partly answers Mintz’s question. The poll suggests that two-thirds of respondents do not trust Biden. About three-quarters of those surveyed identified as independents, a crucial voter demographic this 2022 midterm election cycle.

Biden’s statement accepting Lander’s resignation late Monday failed to mention the two-month internal investigation into accusations that he had created a toxic work environment at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy. The internal investigation, which concluded last month, found credible evidence supporting the claims but did not end in Lander’s dismissal.

Instead, Biden focused on Lander’s achievements as chief scientist concerning the pandemic, climate change, and the president’s cancer moonshot passion project. And on Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki repeated that Lander had stepped down on his own terms, with the president not advised of the investigation while it was ongoing.

Lander’s exit was precipitated by a contentious press briefing Monday afternoon. Four different reporters needled Psaki on why Lander, who has apologized, was still in his Cabinet-level post after Biden swore on Inauguration Day to dismiss any subordinate who disrespected or demeaned a colleague “on the spot — no ifs, ands, or buts.”

In response, Psaki touted the Executive Office of the President’s “safe and respectful workplace policy,” which was implemented last spring.

“Following the conclusion of the thorough investigation into these actions, senior White House officials conveyed directly to Dr. Lander that his behavior was inappropriate and the corrective actions were needed, which the White House will monitor for compliance moving forward,” she said.

“Our objective and the president’s objective is to prevent this behavior from ever happening again,” she added.

Yet Biden has broken his day-one vow before. Psaki faced similar questions last winter when onetime White House spokesman TJ Ducklo was not fired after complaints that he had threatened to “destroy” a female reporter and made derogatory remarks about her sex life following her request for comment related to a personal story about him. Ducklo was originally suspended for a week without pay and ordered to no longer engage with the journalist.

“When we announced that TJ Ducklo had resigned his position, something we all agreed was the right path forward, I made clear that every day we’re going to try to meet the standard set out by the president in treating others with dignity and respect, with civility, and with a value for others through our words and our actions,” she said. “He’s no longer employed here, and I think that speaks for itself.”

The Ducklo incident was Biden’s first test in shifting the White House’s tone and culture after Trump, according to Mintz.

“Biden’s failure to react immediately and live up to his promises is short-sighted and illustrates a lack of integrity in government,” he said.

Biden’s own family has undermined his other pledge to head an ethical, accountable White House, particularly his adult son, Hunter.

For example, Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings and their connection to his then-vice presidential father were central to Trump’s first impeachment and are reportedly linked to an IRS investigation into his taxes. More recently, Hunter Biden’s amateur art being valued at up to $500,000 apiece and his now-presidential father promoting his memoir during his last pre-Super Bowl interview have been criticized for smelling like nepotism.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“He has the right to pursue an artistic career, just like any child of a president has the right to pursue a career,” Psaki said last summer.