Biden’s auto safety official forced to resign from temporary role

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s acting head Ann Carlson will resign on Dec. 26.

President Joe Biden nominated the former environmental law professor as the head in September 2022 after Carlson had served as NHTSA chief counsel for over a year and a half. However, due to backlash from Republican members of Congress, Biden withdrew Carlson’s nomination in May even though she did not need Senate approval.

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Since Carlson was serving as the head without an official nomination, she had to adhere to a law that limited the term of those serving in a temporary role. Carlson cited the law in an email to employees announcing her resignation.

Senate Commerce Committee Republicans signed a letter to Carlson on May 1, outlining criticisms of her policy record at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and fears of expanding electric vehicle mandates on automakers. These criticisms convinced Biden to withdraw her nomination without announcing a permanent replacement.

NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulma will temporarily replace Carlson until Biden nominates someone to head the administration.

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Carlson’s legacy included an investigation into the Tesla Autopilot function. According to Carlson, drivers weren’t always aware when the system was on, so Tesla recalled 2.2 million of its models to upgrade them with new safeguards.

There hasn’t been an NHTSA head confirmed by the Senate in six years. Former President Donald Trump never named a nominee during his first term.