Trump Nominates Neil Jacobs to Lead NOAA Amid Controversy

Neil Jacobs, previously censured for his role in the 'Sharpiegate' scandal under Trump's first administration, has been nominated again to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 'Sharpiegate' involved President Trump altering a hurricane forecast map to falsely claim Hurricane Dorian would hit Alabama, which Jacobs and another official supported, leading to backlash and accusations of compromising scientific integrity. Critics argue that Jacobs' return could undermine NOAA's reliability, especially regarding climate research, as Trump continues to dismiss climate change as a hoax. Jacobs, who previously acted as NOAA's head, is currently serving as a chief science adviser and has been involved in improving weather forecasting systems. The nomination has been sent to the Senate, where Jacobs' confirmation could influence NOAA's future direction, including proposals for privatizing parts of the agency. This move raises concerns among scientists about the Trump administration's potential impact on climate science and NOAA's operations.