Biden sets acting-director order for the Office of Science and Technology Policy

President Joe Biden issued a January 3, 2025 memorandum setting who could act as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy if the director could not serve. The order placed associate directors first, including any associate director designated as U.S. chief technology officer, followed by the chief of staff, deputy directors, and general counsel. The memo relied on the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and revoked a January 13, 2017 OSTP succession memorandum. The action mattered because OSTP coordinates White House science and technology policy, so acting-leadership rules affect continuity on issues like AI, research policy, emerging technology, and scientific integrity.