Trump Signals Major Overhaul at NOAA, Raising Climate, Weather Concerns

Trump Signals Major Overhaul at NOAA, Raising Climate, Weather Concerns/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is considering major changes at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sparking concerns among scientists and federal employees. Potential budget cuts, staff reductions, and policy shifts could impact weather forecasting, hurricane tracking, and climate research. Employees fear Trump’s executive orders and Project 2025 proposals may lead to privatization of forecasting and a rollback of climate change initiatives. Meanwhile, Trump’s nominee for NOAA leadership, Neil Jacobs, has a controversial past, adding to tensions.

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NOAA Scientists Fear Budget Cuts & Restructuring Under Trump – Quick Look

• Potential NOAA Overhaul: Trump officials may cut staff, funding, and research programs.
• Climate Science in Jeopardy: Federal employees worry climate change data may be censored.
• Privatization Concerns: Trump previously suggested selling weather forecasting services to private companies.
• Project 2025 Influence: A conservative blueprint proposes breaking up NOAA and slashing its budget.
• Leadership Controversy: Trump’s NOAA nominee, Neil Jacobs, was involved in the 2019 “Sharpiegate” scandal.
• Commerce Secretary Nominee: Howard Lutnick has refused to confirm NOAA’s future, raising alarm among scientists.

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Deep Look: NOAA Faces Uncertain Future as Trump Administration Eyes Overhaul

Federal Scientists on Edge Over Potential NOAA Restructuring

Employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are on high alert, fearing a radical restructuring under the Trump administration.

The agency, responsible for weather forecasting, hurricane tracking, climate research, and ocean management, could see:

• Budget cuts impacting weather and climate programs
• Job losses for scientists, meteorologists, and data analysts
• Censorship of climate-related terms in research
• Privatization of weather forecasting services
• An internal Trump administration document, obtained by NPR, includes a list of banned terms in NOAA reports and funding applications. These include:
• “Climate change”
• “Pollution”
• “Natural resources”
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related terms

This aligns with Trump’s executive orders, which target climate programs and diversity initiatives across federal agencies.

“The mood’s lower than I’ve ever seen it,” said one NOAA contractor, citing fear and uncertainty among employees.

Trump’s Past Push for NOAA Privatization

During his first term, Trump floated the idea of privatizing weather forecasting, arguing that companies like AccuWeather should take over the role of the National Weather Service (NWS).

• Critics argue that this could:
• Restrict access to life-saving weather alerts, making them subscription-based
• Delay storm warnings during hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires
• Weaken national security, as NOAA data is vital to military operations

The conservative Project 2025, a 900-page policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation, calls NOAA “a main driver of climate change alarmism” and proposes dismantling the agency.

“If Trump moves forward with demolishing NOAA, he will jeopardize people’s access to life-saving information.” – Juan Declet-Barreto, Union of Concerned Scientists

Leadership Controversy: “Sharpiegate” Official Returns

Trump has nominated Neil Jacobs to lead NOAA, sparking controversy.

• Jacobs, a respected meteorologist, previously led NOAA during Trump’s first term.
• He was involved in the 2019 “Sharpiegate” scandal, when Trump falsely claimed Hurricane Dorian would hit Alabama.
• Under pressure, Jacobs backed Trump’s incorrect statement, despite scientific evidence proving otherwise.

“Trump’s NOAA nominee has a history of bending science to fit political narratives.” – NOAA insiders

Another nominee, Taylor Jordan, has weather expertise, but his appointment breaks tradition—NOAA leaders typically include both a weather expert and an ocean/fisheries expert.

Commerce Secretary Nominee Dodges NOAA Questions

NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce, meaning its fate depends on Trump’s commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick.

• Senate Democrats have pressed Lutnick on whether he supports breaking up NOAA.
• Lutnick refused to commit, saying it was “premature” to discuss NOAA’s future.
• His silence has fueled fears that NOAA could face massive budget cuts or restructuring.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved Lutnick’s nomination along party lines, with one exception—Democrat John Fetterman voted with Republicans.

What’s Next for NOAA?

• Staff Cuts & Budget Reductions: Federal scientists fear job losses and funding slashes.
• Climate Science Restrictions: NOAA reports may be stripped of climate-related language.
• Privatization of Weather Forecasting: Trump has previously supported selling off NOAA’s forecasting services.
• Legal Battles Possible: Environmental groups and state attorneys general may sue to block drastic changes.

With Trump’s NOAA overhaul gaining momentum, employees and scientists are bracing for sweeping changes that could reshape the future of weather forecasting, climate research, and ocean management.

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