Scoop: Trump nominates Neil Jacobs to head NOAA
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Meteorologists and members of the Japan Meteorological Agency monitor weather activity at NOAA in 2024. Photo: Michael A. McCoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The White House is nominating meteorologist Neil Jacobs to lead NOAA after he led the agency on an acting basis during President Trump's first term.
Why it matters: The Commerce Department agency is one of the globe's top climate science agencies, funding research and keeping track of global temperatures in near real-time.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also provides extreme weather warnings, operates satellites and hurricane hunter aircraft and is responsible for protecting certain marine fisheries and creatures.
Zoom in: NOAA is typically led by a subject matter expert on oceans or the atmosphere.
- According to a Senate staffer, as well as Congress.gov, Jacobs' name was submitted to the Senate on Monday. He beat out other candidates for the position, including Shell executive Ruth Perry.
- The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: Jacobs held the role in an acting capacity during President Trump's first term. He has a background in computer modeling and could help bolster the agency's weather forecasting and AI capabilities.
- He does, however, come with some baggage, having been reprimanded by Commerce's Inspector General — along with others — for his role in the episode known as "Sharpiegate."
- Since leaving NOAA after Trump's first term, Jacobs has been working for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center, known as EPIC, to develop open-source weather models that can be used by government entities, universities and private sector forecasters.
Jacobs may have to contend with the Elon Musk-headed DOGE-led effort to cut government costs.
- Multiple sources told Axios on condition of anonymity that DOGE representatives were at NOAA's facilities in Silver Spring, Md., on Tuesday.
- The buildings there include the headquarters of the National Weather Service. The representatives were reportedly looking for access to IT systems.
Zoom out: Jacobs may have to contend with attempts to break up NOAA as called for in Project 2025, a governing blueprint for a Republican administration that Trump distanced himself from on the campaign.
- That plan called for NOAA to be broken up and partly dissolved.
- Trump has since tapped into Project 2025 for ideas and personnel.
- Under that proposal, some well-known parts of the agency — including the National Weather Service — would be privatized.
Jacobs is also likely to face challenges in modernizing the agency's National Weather Service to integrate more AI weather models, upgrade weather radars and avoid significant personnel cuts.
- Some of its climate research funding is also likely to be targeted by the administration and the Republican Congress.
Yes, but: At his confirmation hearing last week, Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick shot down Project 2025's recommendations to break up NOAA or transfer some of its functions to another agency.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with details on DOGE's visit to NOAA offices.
