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3mo ago

Trump Nominates Neil Jacobs to Lead NOAA Amid Sharpiegate Controversy

Jacobs, criticized for compromising NOAA's scientific integrity during Trump's first term, faces scrutiny over his nomination to head the weather and climate agency.

Most employees at the Department of Commerce, including NOAA and NWS, received an email about the so-called federal employee buyout formally known as the “deferred resignation program” – essentially an exit package – on Monday afternoon.
A meteorologist monitors weather activity at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Weather and Climate Prediction headquarters in College Park, Maryland, in December 2024.
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Overview

  • Neil Jacobs, a former NOAA acting administrator, was nominated by President Trump to lead the agency again despite his involvement in the 2019 'Sharpiegate' incident.
  • Jacobs was censured for issuing a statement supporting Trump's false claim about Hurricane Dorian's path, which contradicted official forecasts and NOAA's scientific integrity policy.
  • The nomination raises concerns about potential political interference in NOAA's operations, especially as Project 2025 proposes dismantling or privatizing parts of the agency.
  • Staffing shortages and potential budget cuts at the National Weather Service, under NOAA, have sparked fears about the agency's ability to provide timely, life-saving weather forecasts.
  • Jacobs, currently involved in improving U.S. weather forecasting systems, has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing his nomination as a pragmatic choice given his expertise.