Trump picks former chief entangled in 'Sharpiegate' to lead NOAA

Summary

Donald Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs to lead NOAA, known for his role in the 2019 “Sharpiegate” scandal, where Trump altered a hurricane forecast map to include Alabama.

Jacobs, then acting NOAA chief, faced criticism for his rebuke of forecasters who contradicted Trump’s misinformation.

NOAA is also a target in Project 2025, which seeks to dismantle climate-focused agencies.