Jeff Dillen and Stephen Volz were placed on administrative leave, leading to speculation about potential retaliation for their involvement in an investigation during Trump’s presidency. They investigated alterations made to hurricane forecasts to align with Trump’s statements, notably during the Sharpiegate incident. The investigation found that former NOAA chief Neil Jacobs had violated scientific integrity policies by succumbing to political pressure. NOAA officials later stated that the leave was due to performance reviews and unrelated matters, seeking to separate it from Jacobs's nomination.
Dillen and Volz, who led the investigation into ethical violations regarding hurricane forecasts, were placed on leave amid speculation of retaliation linked to Trump's actions.
The agency's past controversy, Sharpiegate, involved altering hurricane forecasts to align with Trump's statements, damaging its reputation for scientific integrity.
NOAA stated that the placements on leave were due to performance reviews and unrelated matters, attempting to distance the actions from Jacobs's upcoming nomination.
The investigation confirmed that Jacobs and another official had violated NOAA's scientific integrity policy, responding to political pressure in altering forecasts.
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