‘Sharpiegate’ defined his last turn as NOAA chief. Will this time be different?

By Chelsea Harvey, Daniel Cusick | 02/05/2025 06:07 AM EST

President Donald Trump has again tapped weather scientist Neil Jacobs to run NOAA.

Neil Jacobs, then the acting administrator of NOAA, speaks at a 2019 meteorological convention in Huntsville, Alabama.

Neil Jacobs, then the acting administrator of NOAA, speaks at a 2019 meteorological convention in Huntsville, Alabama. Jay Reeves/AP

President Donald Trump’s choice to lead NOAA has the scientific chops to run the nation’s primary climate and weather agency, say experts and longtime NOAA officials — in spite of the nominee’s ties to controversy during the first Trump administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Neil Jacobs will retake the top slot at NOAA, where he was acting administrator from 2019 to 2021. He’s currently the chief science adviser at the Unified Forecast System, a NOAA-funded research initiative housed at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The nomination was first reported by Axios.

Jacobs is regarded by many as a serious scientist, whose doctorate in numerical weather prediction and background in meteorology make him an asset to the agency.

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“He’s a good guy. I think people are relieved that he’s the nominee,” said one former senior NOAA official who was granted anonymity because the official’s current employer asked them not to publicly comment on NOAA matters.

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