Senior officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have resigned amid renewed scrutiny over the infamous 'Sharpiegate' scandal during Donald Trump's presidency.
The controversy resurfaced after reports revealed internal disputes over political interference in weather forecasting, particularly concerning a 2019 incident where a hurricane map was allegedly altered to support Trump's misleading claims about Hurricane Dorian's trajectory.
Political Pressure and Scientific Integrity
Sources within NOAA claim that agency staff faced unprecedented pressure to align public statements with the former president's assertions, even when they contradicted meteorological data. This led to widespread criticism from scientists and the public, who accused the administration of undermining scientific credibility.
Fallout and Resignations
The recent departures include key figures involved in the controversy, signalling ongoing tensions between scientific independence and political influence. Critics argue that such incidents erode trust in public institutions, while supporters dismiss the claims as overblown.
The 'Sharpiegate' scandal—named after the marker Trump used to modify an official hurricane map—remains a symbol of the fraught relationship between science and politics during his tenure.
