The President can tell his cabinet to do whatever he wants. The BLM Director is not part of his cabinet, in not so many words they do in fact report to congress.

Regarding your other question about Biden's flippant nature, it's important to note that his stance on oil and gas development has not changed significantly since he took office. During his campaign and since becoming president, he has emphasized the need to transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy in order to address climate change and "create a more sustainable future". This has included a focus on promoting renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, as well as investments in electric vehicles and other low-emission technologies.

However, it is also true that the Biden administration has faced some criticism and scrutiny over its approach to oil and gas development. In particular, there has been some concern among industry groups and some politicians that the administration's policies could harm the economy and lead to job losses in regions that depend heavily on oil and gas production.

In response to these concerns, the administration has taken steps to reassure the industry and to emphasize that its policies are focused on promoting a gradual and responsible transition away from fossil fuels, rather than an abrupt or drastic shift. For example, the administration has emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations, which can help to mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuel production while also supporting domestic production of natural gas.

But I guess we could just blame it on his age if you'd prefer to approach it without any nuance, it is funnier that way.